LAST POST.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2732, 14 July 1925, Page 6

LAST POST.

FUNERAL OF LATE CAPT. G. A, PREEOE, N.Z.C;

Palmerston North paid its last respects to the memory of the late Capt. G. A. Prcece, N.Z.C., yesterday afternoon, when his remains were Interred, with full military honours at the Terraco End cemetery. Many flags were flown at half-mast and a large gathering watched the funeral proceedings at All Saints’- Church, whither the body was conveyed first of all for a brief service.

The more intimate friends of deceased assembled at his late residence in Fitzherbert street, and accompanied the gun-carriage, which ha,d been supplied for the occasion by the local padre of the R.N.Z.A., to the church. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and on top were placed deceased's war decorations and sword. The pall-bearors comprised; Majors J. T. Bosworth and Garmon, Messrs. F. S. M. Hankin, J. Balsillie, H. Akers and W. E. Bondall. while Lieut. C. A. M. Hcrtzci, a Maori war veteran, and Mr. J. H. Stevens, accompanied the coffin. The chief mourners were deceased's two sons, both of whom arc veterans of the Groat War.

At All Saints’ Church, deceased's sword was replaced by a floral replica, a tribute from his widow. A guard of honour which formed up from, the gun-carriage to the church entrance, comprised Colonel C. G. Powles (O.C. District). Col. .1. H. Whyte (C. 5.0.), Col. .1. Rose, Majors R. Hardic. J. C. Morton, Capts. S. V. Trask, G. Braddell, J. M. Stewart, Lieuts. Buchanan. Nicol and Brophy. An impressive service was conducted by Canon W. Fancourt assisted by the Rev. G. W. Dent, those present comprising many of deceased's friends, representatives of various local bodies including the Mayor (Mr. F. .1. Nathan), and members of the Military Forces, South African Veterans’ Association, and Returned Soldiers’ Association. The proceedings were concluded with the playing of the “Dead March in Saul.” The college from the church to the cemetery was a lengthy one and was headed by the Palmerston North Band, playing the “Dead March.” A firing party from the Boys’ High School Cadets, under I,lout. King, N.Z.P.S., joined the procession at the cemetery gates and formed up subsequently around the grave. Canon Fancourt and the Rev. Dent conducted the graveside service, and after the firing party had given the volleys. Mr. A. J. Berryman sounded the “Last Post.” Occasion was taken at the conclusion of the graveside service by Piki Kotukn, a chief of the Ngatihanoroa tribe, to pay his respects to the memory of deceased. This lie did in a characteristic Maori speech which was Interpreted by Rev. .1. E. Ward, a Presbyterian Maori Minister, of Taumarunui. Piki Kotukn, who also hails from Taumarunui, spoke as follows: "I have come for the purpose of delivering sympathetic greetings on behalf of the Maori people. Greetings, greetings, greetings, greetings to you all and those of you who are friends of the late Capt. Prooce, but especially to those of near relationship. The cry of (he Maori is very sad at your being taken hence. I foci very sad at parting with my friend. Ho was a groat friend to my father, too. It was the desire of my father on iris deathhod that Capt. Precce should take care of mo personally and during the ten years I stayed in Palmerston North with Capt. Prcocc, he was good and kind and I reciprocated. On March 24 last I called 1o see him and he told mo he was suffering greatly and when I received worj on Saturday of his demise, I came at once, that I might take a kind farewell of him. To his friends, especially the pakeha friends, lot me tell you that ho still remains with ns in his sons and his family carries on for him. This a proverb amongst the native people: ‘One branch dies out, tli lo. other remains and stands firm.’ Therefore, it is a great pleasure for us to know that his children still remain to carry on as ho would have wished they* lo do.” Many were the beautiful floral tribules received by the family in addition to messages of sympathy from all parts of the Dominion. Among those who forwarded wreaths wore:—Navy League (Wellington), Johnsonvillc School, Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, Staff Dalgcty and Coy., Ltd., Palmerston North Land Agents’ Association, general manager and stall of the General Alliance Assurance, Returned Soldiers’ Association, liana, watu Racing Club, Mr. and Airs. F. J. Nathan, Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Taylor, Mr. and Airs. J. Herbert Hankins, Air. and Airs. Autridge, Air, and Airs. Inglis, Air. and Airs. Barrett, Air. and Airs. H. Akers. Air. and Mrs. A. Akers, Air. and Airs, F. S. AT. Hankin, Air. and Airs. R. D. Douglas MlciLean (Wellington), Airs. A. Bell (Auckland), Air. and Airs. Williams, Mr. and Airs. H. Fringe. Air. and Airs. C. E. Dernpsy, Mrs, .Tames Bell and Air. and Airs. C. N. Clausen. To these must bo added the beautiful floral Crusader’s sword, a tribute from the widow, and a magnificent wreath of native flowers and foliage from members of the family.