Funeral of Sir Francis Bell

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 64, 17 March 1936, Page 8

Funeral of Sir Francis Bell

SERVICE AT ST. PAUL’S PRO CATHEDRAL. LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE CONGREGATION Per Press A&sociation. WELLINGTON, Mar.'lG. Tho funeral of the late Sir Francis Bell took place to-day, St.’Paul’s Pro Cathedral being crowded out with one of the largest and most representative congregations ever seen in Wellington. Practically every section of the community, and all shades of political thought were represented. Those present included Major Purvi3. representing the Governor-General, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Prime Minister, the Attorney-General (Hon. Mason), and lions. Parry, Langstone and Fagan, (Ministers of the Crown), Justices Reed, Ostler, Blair and Kennedy, and prominent members of both Houses of Legislature, including Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. The legal profession was well represented, also public bodies, Government Departments, civic authorities, commercial and other interests. The chief mourners were tho son.. Mr. Cheviot Bell, and Mrs. Bell, daughters and sons-in-law, Judge Johnston and Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. S. H. F. Rolleston, Miss Bell, Mr. and Mrs. J S. Denniston, Mrs. Warwick Blundell (grand-daughter), and Mr. Blundell, Nigel Johnston (grondson), Mr. E. D. Bell (brother), Mr. A. K. S. MacKenzie (nephew) and Mrs. MacKenzie. The pall-bearers were relations, Mr. Charles Gill (his personal servant), and members of the stall of deceased’s firm for over 40 yr-rs.

The service was conducted by Bishop Sprott and Canon James preached the panygyrie and also officiated it Karori crematorium. In his panygyrie Canon James referred to the passing of a link with the colonisation days in New Zealand in Sir Francis Bell, also to his long term of public service, both in civic and political life. He paid tribute to Sir Francis Bell as a leaaer in the legal profession for half a century In New Zealand. The deceased was a lover of men and loved all men. He was remembered particularly in St. Paul’s where a Toe H lamp was dedicated to his son, -who Cell in the war. Members of Toe H participated in the Cathedral service.