LORD BALFOUR’S FUNERAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 99, 24 March 1930, Page 7

LORD BALFOUR’S FUNERAL

COFFIN BORNE ON FARM WAGON. . LONDON, March 22. The simplest rites characterised the Earl of Balfour’s funeral at the private burial ground in Whittingehame, in the shadow of the Lammermuir hills. The funeral took place while the nation was honouring Lord Balfour in Westminster Abbey and other services were being held in Edinburgh Cathedral and Cambridge University Church. Besides his own people who came to see the Laird of Whittingehame buried, the only persons present at the church were immediate relatives, including the aged and feeble Miss Balfour, who acted as her brother’s hostess for many years. Miss Balfour is completely broken up by his passing. The service was conducted by Rev. Marshall Lang a brother of the Archbishop of Canterbury. While the village schoolmaster played the Dead March on the tiny harmonium, the six oldest servants on the estate carried the white-palled coffin to a farm wagon drawn by cart horses. Then the last journey was made. When the coffin was lowered in the grave Miss Balfour was lifted from her invalid chair, and, assisted by relatives, walked slowly to the grave. She sat down on the excavated clay and showered snowdrops from a basket on to the coffin, the while sobbing bitterly. Other members of the family followed, each sprinkling snowdrops. Hundreds of wreaths from all parts of the world included one from Mr T. M. Wilford, K.C. On the card was the inscription: “A tribute 'from New Zealand to great Empire statesman.” Those at the graveside included a company of Japanese students from Edinburgh, who asked permission to pav their personal respects to the dead Earl.

A sister’s sorrow caused a poignant incident at Westminster Abbey. The Dowager Lady Rayleigh, although urged not to attend owing to her illhealth, sat in a bath chair near the choir stalls. While the choir was singing “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” her head fell forward, her shoulders shook, and she raised a thin, white hand appealingly. A woman knelt beside her, and Lord Dawson, of Penn, left his place, hurried forward and took Lady Rayleigh’s hand and raised her head. She smiled, clasped her hands, and remained motionless until the service ended. The great congregation included the Duke of York, who represented the King, Britain’s most prominent statesmen, representatives of the services, ambassadors of foreign Powers, scientists and business men in all branches of public life.