FUNERAL OF MR. THOMAS HOLMES. OF TUAKAU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5919, 5 November 1880, Page 3

FUNERAL OF MR. THOMAS HOLMES. OF TUAKAU.

I BEGRET to have to record the death, on Saturday last, of Mi-. Thos. Holmes, at his residence, Tuakau, after a long aud most painful illness, borne with Christian fortitude and resignation. His funeral took place on Tuesday last, the 2nd instant, and was largely attended. At 2 p.m. the coffin was removed to the Tuakau Wesleyan Church, where the Rev. Mr. Isitt, the zealous Wesleyan minister of the district, after engaging in prayer, gave a rapid sketch of the goodness of life of the deceased, dwelling especially upon his labours in establishing and actively supporting their present flourishing Sundayschools, his upright conduct and exemplary life; and he exhorted his hearers to derive for themselves a-practical lesson from the calmness and resignation with which he whom they now mourned had met the hand of death, and passed, he :felt assured, into a blissful eternity. The Sunday-school teachers and children then sang some favourite hymns of the deceased, after which the funeral cortege formed in the following order :—Sunday - school teachers and children, next the Rev. Mr. Isitt and Mr. R. Hobbs: then the coffin, in Mr. Fergie's vehicle; followed by about 400 people afoot or on horseback. On arriving at the Tuakau burial-ground, the funeral service was , , read by the Rev. Mr. Isitt, and, amidst a furious downpour of rain, the earthly remains were consigned to their last resting-place. Mr. Holmes was a native of Portadown, Ireland, and came to New Zealand about sixteen years ago, and for the last eight years resided at Tuakau, and took a lively interest in the welfare and advancement of the affairs of the district. He had a happy way of making and keeping friends, which v/as amply testified by the presence of people from Pokcno, Waiuku, East and West Pukekohe, Mangatawhiri, &c, at his funeral; while he was a friend to everyone in need, so far as lay in his power.. The Rev. Mr. Isitt intends, after service, on Sunday, the 7th inst., to more fully enlarge upon the life of Mr. Holmes.—[A Corres" pondent, November 3.]