THE LATE CAPTAIN WILDMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 5

THE LATE CAPTAIN WILDMAN.

[by telegraph.— correspondent.] Thames, Sunday. „ Captain Wildman was buried to-day at tho Shortland Cemetery. During my experience of the district, extending over 20 years, I have never seen a military funeral of such general interest. A large contingent of Auckland volunteers came down by tho Awhina to-day. Amongst the officers present were Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, Captain Commandant Leßoy, of the Auckland Naval Brigade ; Captain and Adjutant Gerrard of the Navals; Major Payne, Captain Hulse, Onohunga Navals ; Captain Geddes, "A" Battery Artillery ; Captain Hitchens, Waitemata Navals; Captain Leahy, Royal Irish Rifles. According to an official memo there were SO Navals, from the Auckland, Waitemata, Ponsonby, and Devonport Companies, 17 of the "A" Battery, and 17 rifles, chiefly Roval Irish ; also 20 members of the Artillery Band. Of the local companies there were 80 Navals, commanded by Lieutenant Potts, and 60 Rifle Rangers, commanded by Colour-Sergeant Clout. Lieutenant Potts commanded the parade, and Drill Instructor John Grant acted as master of ceremonies, probably for the last time on the Thames, as he leaves for Auckland on Tuesday. During his long term he has never officiated at the funeral of an officer more respected, nor yet at a more imposing cortege. The Rev. William Calder, of All Saints', Ponsonby, read the burial service, the first portion of which was read at St. George's Church. Irrespective of the numerous attendance of tho public there were, according to an informant who counted them in procession, 750 volunteers and fire brigades men. A much larger number would have come from Auckland had more notice been given.