LATE MR RUTHERFORD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 7

LATE MR RUTHERFORD.

THE FUNERAL.

Tlic popularity of the late Mr Duncan Rutherford and the widespread feeling of regret at his sudden demise was evidenced by the very large gathering of his friends yesterday to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory.

The funeral was by far the most notable hitherto seen in the Amuri. Practically every station and farm in tho county had its representatives present, and the people of tho business centres attended in large numbers. Christchurch was strongly represented by professional and commercial men, with whom Air Rutherford had been associated in business affairs or by ties of friendship. Many persons, too, journeyed from the districts lying between tho city and Culvcrden to show their respect for tho deceased gentleman, whoso patriotic philanthropy alono had won him such universal esteem.

As the hour drew nigh for tho funeral to leave Leslie Hills, the • Hanmcr Road leading to tho homestead was alive with motor-cars. At 1 p.m. the funeral cortege moved away from the place Air Rutherford had called his homo for fifty-one years, to God’s acre at AVaiau, where the remains were laid to rest in tho family burial plot.

Along the route the procession was considerably added to, and in tho township it was met by a large body of residents, many of whom had at one time or another experienced Air Rutherford’s kindness.

Tile burial service was conducted by the Revs W. R. Campbell and J. H. Thompson. Air Thompson, in a brief address before the coffin was lowered into the grave, spoke of the many estimable qualities of Air Rutherford, dwelling mainly on Ills philanthropy and kindness to returned soldiers. He also announced that memorial services would be hold in the different Presbyterian Churches in tho county next Sunday. Tho hearers were Alossrs A. W. Rutherford, jun. (Brookdale), Leslie A. Rutherford (Haydon Downs), C. O. T. Rutherford (The Peaks), Godfrey O. Rutherford (Lochiol), G. L. Rutherford (Connemara) and E. G. Rutherford, all nephews of the deceased, and Mr P. Barbery, a son-in-law. Besides the bearers, those immediately following tho hearse were Mr Rutherford’s brothers, Mr A. W. Rutherford (Alendip Hills), Air John Rutherford (Aylesbury), Mr George Rutherford (Springbank) and Mr Edwin Rutherford (Kekerangu), his nephews, Messrs Eric Rutherford (Inverness), S. Rutherford (Grasmere) and Alister Rutherford (Alontrose). Closely following the relatives were Captain W. J. Hard ham, V.C., the military commandant of Queen Alary Hospital; Captain A. Hendry, Principal Alcdical Officer; Lieutenant Pearce and twenty-seven returned soldiers, patients at the hospital. Air AV. Nicholson, manager at Leslie Hills, aud a number of station employees also had a prominent place in the cortege. Amongst others present were Colonel R. A. Clmffey, representing the Minister of Defence; Major AV. C.. Morrison, representing General Sir Arthur

Robin, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces; Lieutenant-Colonel T. A. APGibbon, representing Surgeon-Gen-eral Henderson, Director of Medical Services; Lieutenant B. B. AVood, representing the New Zealand Alotor Service Corps, as well as the firm of William Wood, and the directors of tho Parapara Iron Ore Company; Dr Yalintine, representing the Health Department; Air J. Aluuro, representing the Agricultural Department; Messrs C. W. Grdpn and A. L. Brown, representing the Returned Soldiers’ Association; Air E. P. Burbury, representing the National Efficiency Board; Air Georgo Jameson, representing tho Rod Cross Society; Air A. Boyle, representing tlio stewards of the Canterbury Jockey Club; Air C. G. M’Kellar, representing tho Automobile Association; Alessrs M. Bothell, F. S. Northcoto, H. R. Davison, J. Pettigrew and AV. Hannier Atkinson, members of the Amuri County Council; Air T. D. Dalzell (county clerk), Alessrs B. Hampton (chairman), F. Travers (secretary) and AV. AI. Hamilton, representing tho Amuri Saleyards Company; Alessrs James Douglas and Hicks, representing the Hurunui Rab-

bit Board Trustees; Messrs AV. W. M’Rae and F. H. Labatt, representing the Canterbury Shipowners’ Association; Alessrs E. Aloss and C. 11. Gilby, renresenting tho Automatic Stumping Machine Company; Dr C T. AV. Little, Alessrs T. C. Robinson, Gordon Fulton, T Chapman, Leicester Matson, A. Cook, R. Chapman, Angus Kennedy, W Hamilton, A. Enrshman, D. M Kay, John Chapman, Hy Chapman, J. Northcote, J. H. Davison, J. R. M’Rae, W. H. Tomlinson, E. N . Coleman, AV. P. Digby, AY. A. Scott, A. Duncan, J. Dodds, C. 1. Jennings and " Although It was announced that there were to bo no flowers, many floral tributes were sent, including ft car covered with wreaths from members ot the familv and immediate personal friends. There were also floral tributes from the patients and staff of the Queen Alary Hospital, and from the AVaiau Presbyterian Church, and the employees on the • estate.

Before the sale at the Amnn yards at Culverdcn on Tuesday, Mr B. Hnmpton, chairman of the Saleynris Company, referred, to the death of # Rutherford and the great sustained bv the community, and Mr Adam Smith also spoke on behalf of tho nnctioneors. The sale was £ ten minutes out ot respect to Ml Ruth erford’s memory. , A flag was flying at half-mast at the Addington saleyards yesterday’ out o respect to the memory of the late Mr Duncan 1 Rutherford. Several prominentgraziers and dealers were heard to regret- that the funeral took on tho day of the metropolitan market, f r they ™°ia have M to have shmvn their respects in person.