THE LATE JOHN SHEEHAN.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7189, 15 June 1885, Page 3

THE LATE JOHN SHEEHAN.

Iliti^Tbe mortal remains of the late John

|f|Sl»jSheeban were taken to the Spit yester[pf^lfpay. afternoon, and after wardß taken pn |Mi^^oatd:.the Hineinoa for oouveyance to [fejfe^Acciil.an^,' where the bpdy of the de-|^S-l"c^aßed .will be interred. The coffin oonR^^aiuingv. the body was brought from ■f|tl;^e.tarie '-.v on'-.' Saturday evening, and one pf -the ofiicea lately ocouDuring . Saturday H^^^eoiiig^aftd .the^reater, partof yes^erM^^^|a;lajrge number ; of pereona paid a .

tribute to the memory of deceased by visiting the room in which the coffin lay, and gazing mournfully upon the casket whioh contained all that was left of one who, when HviDg, was esteemed for his amiable nature and his exceptional talent. The body was enclosed in a shell contained in a lead coffin, and theae again were placed in an outer casket oovered with black cloth,- relieved with gilt mountings. The inscription plate contained the following words: — "John Sheehan, ditid June 12th, 1885, aged 38 years." Shortly before half-past three o'clock a procession was formed in the Shakespeareroad as follows :— Napier Rifles ; F Battery of Artillery ; Naval Artillery ; Napier and Spit Volunteer Fire Brigades ', Garrison Band ; members of tho Order of Druids ; and the hearße. The coffin, which was literally covered with floral wreaths and bouquets, waa placed in the hearse by the Druids, of which Order deceased had been a member when living, and the following gentlemen acted as pall bearers t-^The Hon. J. N. Wilson, M.L.0.; Mr J. D. Ormond, M.H.R. • Mr W. 0. Smith, M.H.R. j Mr H. Cadman, M.H.R. ; and Messrs A. J. Ootterill, P. 8. M'liean, J. Graham, J. H. Vautier, H. Williams, A. P. Sheath, J. Rhodes, and D. Gollan. Then followed carriages containing the relatives of deceased, the rear of the procession being formed by a large number of those who were friends and admirers of the deceased when living. The Shakespeare -road was thronged with persons of both sexes, and as the melancholy cortege fllod oil to the strains of the "Dead March in Saul," a large proportion of the sightseers fell into the rear of the procession and marched to the port* TJpon arrival at the Spit the coffin was carried by the Druids from the . hearse, through the 1 oargo shed, to the outer breastwork. The scene at this stage was most impressive, fully 4000 persons being present on and about the wharves, and on the decks and rigging of the vessels in port, all of which had their colors at half-mast. Before removal from the wharf the Druids threw sprigs of evergreen upon the coffin, and sprays of shamrock and wreaths of flowers were placed upon it by other bystanders. Honi Nia Nia and Henare Tomoana then delivered orations in Maori, which were translated to the bystanders by Mr James Carroll. Hori Nia Nia said :— We have come here to express sorrow for Mr John Sheehan, who has departed— l and thef other chiefs. We have come here to pay a last tribute to our parent, John Sheehan, who lies here dead. Hapuka preceded him, and also Karaitiana and Tareha. Those chiefs, who when living were descendants of great ancestors, took unto them and associated themselves with this one who hero lies dead, and we, the remnant of the people, have assembled here to pay to him our last .respects. Farewell, farewell, associate of the great chiefs — you were a companion of the chiefs, and may you find rest now you have departed, leaving us unprotected from-the winds and storms that beat upon us. " Henare Tomoana said : — I ask all thoße who are present to listen to what I bave to say. Great is my love, and great the love of the Maori people, for our friend who has been taken from us. Sir Donald M'Lean was the friend of the Maori, and the Maori knew him well, and all of them paid a tribute of respect to him when he departed. After he left this sphere, he now lying dead took his place, and the natives got to admire and respect him beoause he travelled among them, and attended to them. Although we know that when he was alivo he may have committed errors, we grieve here and cry over him. There are those here who were our representatives with him, who knew him well, and I I can only hope that those who were with him will follow in the course John Sheehan pursued, and practise kindness to the natives. I cannot refrain, while expressing my sadness and sorrow at the departure of our friend, to urge upon those who are members of Parliament, and have the control of the affairs of the Maori people, to follow in the course pursued by John Sheehan towards us. My last word is " Go, my friend, go to your home ; go with the good wißhes and reßpeots of your sorrowing people." The Hon. J. N. Wilson then made a short address to the Maoris present, Mr Carroll again interpreting. He said he was happy to see bo many natives present to gee the last of Mr John Sheehan. He was not only a gentleman, but a man who loved the Maori people. He sought not money, nor land, nor honor, but to see done what was right. Not only the Maoris, but the white people also had lost a friend and a great man. It was pleasant to see Maoris and Pakehas there, to honor the memory of a great man. He had gone to his rest, but it was to be hoped that the spirit whioh inspired him would remain. After the conclusion of the speeches, the coffin was lowered into the Naval Brigade's boat, which was fully manned, and conveyed to the Hinemoa in tow of the s.s. Boojum.