THE LATE BRANCHMAN BERRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12430, 20 February 1901, Page 6

THE LATE BRANCHMAN BERRY.

■ The funeral of the late Bianchman B. A. - Berry took place yesterday afternoon, wheni there was a, very large attendance! Some) time before the funeral left the Lichfieldi : Street Fire Brigade Station a large crowdl gathered to see the cortege start! The! Station flag was flying at half-mast, as’was’; also the flag at the City'Council yard 1 , and! the firebells were tolled. The coffin .was| borne on 1 the chemical engine Bel tana,”, and was surrounded with wreaths. Follow-’ ing the mourning carriage were about forty, 1 City firemen. Representatives from that Railway, Sumner- and 1 Lyttelton Brigades,] with a number of ex-firemen, and also' several of the fire police were present." Superintendent Smith led the firemen. Thai , cortege was a long one, and" was consider-! ably augmented by the time it had reached; 1 : the Linwood Cemetery. : The Rev (Mathew,; 'of St John’s, conducted the service at the' grave. Wreaths were sent by the .Alayor, (Mr W. Reece), aii'd Mrs Reece, Gouncillorj Samuels, the Christchurch Fire Brigade, 1 , Sumner Brigade, Superintendent and Mrs : Smith, Ex-Superintendent and Mrs Turton,’ and many others. , i A committee has been formed, with the Mayer of Christchurch as chairman, to en-,1 deavour to raise funds for the benefit of the. widow, and. family of the late Branchman, Berry. .At ai meeting held last night aw offer by the Exhibition Concert Company to ; give an entertainment for the benefit of the fund on Sunday evening next, was accept-, ed with thanks, and a Sub-committee was ; appointed to carry out the arrangements. ’. It was decided to issue subscription-lists, and any persons who wish to subscribe are requested only to give to authorised; per-, eons. Superintendent Smith reported‘that’ several subscriptions had already been offer-' . ed for the fund. Other offers for assistance in the way of entertainments were held over' tall a future meeting. .