THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 31 July 1911, Page 5

THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

GREAT EULOGISMS

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION,

CHRISTCHURCH, July 31. In the presence of a great gathering of Christchurch citizens, the mortal remains of the late Mayor, Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., were yesterday laid to rest. Around the marshalling area, along the line of route, and outside and within the cemetery gates, the people massed, all anxious to have a part, in paying the last tribute to the departed head of the city.

The morning was overcast, and soft rain fell, and the general air of sadness was most pronounced. A cortege was perhaps the largest of its kind yet seen in Christchurch, but the complete" arrangements made enabled the different sections to be marshalled and placed in t&eir proper positions with every dignity and without confusion. The head of the procession left at halfpast two, and the Selwyn Street Cemetery was reached three-quarters of an hour later. AT THE CITY COUNCIL OFFICES. A most solemn civic function took place early in the morning. The casket containing the body of the late Mayor was brought from the Cashmere Hills to the City Council building, and there placed on a black draped erection in the big Council chamber, opposite the Mayoral chair, and within the horseshoe area bounded by the table used at the Council meetings. The interior of the chamber was heavily draped in black while all around on tables, covered with white cloths, were arranged the multitude of wreaths which since Saturday morning had poured into the office. At half-past ten the main gates to the building were opened, and the big crowd assembled outside commenced to file quietly and steadily in. As they reached the top of the stairs the people entered the chamber and filed round the body within the horseshoe area, viewed the casket and the wreaths, and left by the small door to the south end. The LONG STREAM OF CITIZENS continued without interruption throughout the whole of the morning, and right up to 1 o'clock, when the doors were closed. A change was made in the method of admission followed during the morning, to doal more effectively with the concourse of citizens. The main entrance gates were closed, and the people were admitted by the door at the south end of the chamber, reached by a small staircase from the outside of "the building, the exit being through a door at the rear of the structure. By that means any chance of congestion inside the chamber was thus avoided, for previously it was found that the people could enter faster by the big door than they could leave by the small door, and there was the risk of the chamber being overcrowded. Shortly after 1 o'clock the last person had left, and preparations were then put in hand for the funeral. THE PROCESSION. All the cards were taken from the wreaths and collected together by the assistant town clerk, to be handed later to Mrs Taylor. The wreaths were then removed from the chamber and placed on a special hearse, this hearse following immediately behind the coffin. Such wreaths as could not be placed on the special hearse were arranged on the lamp brackets of the carriages behind. By 2 o'clock all the carriages in the official section of the procession were in position. The choir and the Linwood Band were stationed on the east side of the terrace opposite the Council offices, and the units composing the head of the procession were in their places. Outside the barricades the people crowded. At twenty minutes past two the band played the tune of one of Mr Taylor's favorite hymns, "The Day Thou Gavest> Lord, Is I Ended," and the assembled choir, under the leadership of Mr Simpson, leader of the St. Alban's Methodist Church Choir, sang the hymn through, accompanied by the band. A few minutes later the casket, borne by members of the Citj Coun- | oil, was brought down from the" chamber through the main entrance, and placed on the open hearse. Then the choir sang a second hymn, the late Mayor's favorite, "0, Lord, who by Thy presence hast made light," and at the close of this hymn the long cortege moved off, the prevailing silence being only broken by the slow tolling of church bells. TWO MILES LONG. The procession was about two miles long. In the carriage were members of the family of the late Mr Taylor, the Acting Prime Minister, and other Ministers, the members of the Legislative Council, and the House of Representatives; also the full membership of the City Council and representatives of all the other bodies and various organisations. THE WORKERS' TRIBUTE. A striking feature of the procession was the presence on foot of about 2,000 men, belonging mostly to trade unions, all the local unions having representatives. His Excellency the Governor was also represented at the funeral. All along the line of route the people crowded, and there was another big crowd in the locality of the'cemetery, outside the gates, but the uttermost orderliness prevailed throughout. THE GRAVESIDE SCENE. At the graveside the scene was most solemn. Prominent among those present, in addition to the members of MiTaylor's family and relatives, were Sir James Carroll, Acting Premier, the Hon. G. Fowlds, and Hon. D. Budd'o. The service was conducted by the Rev L. M. Isitt, the Rev C. H. Garland, the Rev C. H. Laws, and the Rev S. Henderson. "Lead, Kindly Light," one of Mr Taylor's favorite hymns, was sung, and the Rev Mr Laws offered up an appropriate prayer. Mr Isitt, in his funeral oration, referred to the outstanding features of the life of Mr Taylor. He said the lesson of his life was %hat they should struggle on for Christ-likeness in the world, in thought, ' and spirit. Addressing Mr Taylor's comrades in arms, he urged them to greater efforts, so that the hope of Mr Taylor's life should be consummated and the people of New Zealand be freed for ever from the degrading influence of strong drink.

About 190 wreaths were sent, and these made a striking display in the Council Chamber, while the body was lying in state.