THE LATE REV. H. DANIEL

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2012, 27 February 1939, Page 5

THE LATE REV. H. DANIEL

, ' , FUNERAL SERVICES - s The funeral of the late Rev.. H. Daniel, Methodist minister at Matamata, took place on Thursday. A large concourse assembled to pay their respects to a minister who had earned the admiration of a circle far beyond his own particular ‘ Among those who attended were many members of other churches, a contingent of over 40 ex-servicemen, and the following ministers: Rev. H. Spencer (Te Awamutu), Rev. F. J. Parker (Frankton), Rev. J. L. Mitchell (Rotorua), Rev. R. Richards (Paeroa), Rev. C. R. Taylor (Te Aroha), Rev. S. Henderson (Te Aroha), Rev. H. W. Payne (Otorohanga), Rev. Goodwin (Cambridge), Rev. L. T. Norwell (Putaruru), Rev. J. Churchill (Huntly), Rev. R. W. Mayson (Waitoa), all ol the Methodist Church, the Rev. F. Quintrell (vicar of Matamata), the Rev. J. H. Combes (St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Matamata), Captain G. Fitness (Salvation Army, Matamata).

At a service in the church the opening prayer was offered by the Rev. H. Spencer, and the reading was given by the Rev. F. j. Parker. The favourite hymn of the late Rev. Daniel, “ In Heavenly Love Abiding,” was sung, following which the Rev. J. L. Mitchell delivered a short and inspiring address. The speaker referred to the intense sincerity of the Rev. H. Daniel and his suffering for years without complaint. Once when asked by a friend why he was retiring from the ministry so early he had replied quietly that he could have paid for his sittingroom with medical certificates. Mr. Daniel had held strong views on questions of national policy and had expounded these with forcefulness and ability. The concluding hymn was “ Rock of Ages.” At the graveside the reading was given by the Rev. R. Richards and the prayer by the Rev. C. R. Taylor. A short address was given by the jßev. S. Henderson. The Last Post was then sounded by Mr. Roy White, following which the Rev. J. H. Combes, a member of the executive of the Matamata Returned Soldiers’ Association, read the official N.Z.R.S.A. service, at the conclusion of which the parade present saluted by springing to attention. The Benediction was pronounced by the ReV. H. W. Payne. The Reveille was then sounded, following which the exservicemen present filed past the grave and each dropped a poppy on the casket.

This concluded obsequies which were impressive in the extreme and were attended by representatives. of all sections of the community, testifying to the universal respect with which Mr. Daniel was regarded. Among the large number of beautiful floral tributes were those from the following: Matamata Methodist Church (Walton), Methodist Church (Te Poi), Methodist Church (Gisborne), Methodist Church (Matamata), St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (Matamata), Matamata Primary School, Wardville Primary School, Matamata Bowling Club, Matamata Fabian Society, Matamata Labour Party, Matamata .Carpenters’ Union, Wallace Supplies Ltd. The pallbearers were: Messrs. S. J. Woodcock, G. G. Griffiths, A. E. Diprose, W. D. Simpson, R. R. Hawke and G. Bellamy.