THE MILITARY PARADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13210, 22 June 1906, Page 7

THE MILITARY PARADE.

BALTIMORE'S BLUEJACKETS TAKE ■ ■'.■' PART. ■"• . The military, paid fitting tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased statesman, whose portfolios included, that of Minister for Defence, by parading in strong force to attend the service in St. Matthew's Church. The local troops, under the command of Colonel R. H. Davies, C.8., officer commanding the Auckland district forces, assembled at the Drill Hall about half-past one p.m., and were there joined by three companies of bluejackets from the United States cruiser Baltimore, with colours draped, and commanded by Lieutenant Miller. Members of the Empire Veterans' Association to the number of upwards of 80 (Major Brouu in command), and South African cphtingcntei's (about 40 strong), commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Abbott, also assembled to participate in the last sad rites to be performed in connection with the laying to rest of the mortal remains of New Zealand's Prime Minister. Upwards of 1200 troops paraded, and with the public school cadets, who attended service at St. Paul's Church, the parade states must have shown a total of over 2000. A few minutes after two o'clock the troops moved oil', and marcher! via Welles-ley-streets East, and West, to St. Matthew's Church, Lieutenant-Colonel Davies was accompanied by Commander Stone, of the Baltimore, and the order of the troops was as follows : — Garrison Band. ' Detachment from U.S. cruiser Baltimore. Members Empire Veterans' Association. South African Contingcnters. :•' t Permanent Force. "A" Battery Artillery. Nos. 1, 8, and 9, Garrison Artillery. Devonport Submarine Miners. Auckland Corps of Engineers. First Regiment Auckland Mounted Rifles" Band. Auckland Mounted Rifles and Seddon Horse (Lieutenant-Col. Holgate. commanding ''; mounted troops). First Battalion Auckland Infantry Band. Auckland Infantry Battalion (under command of Major J. R. Reed, and comprising the Victoria Rifles, College Rifles, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, Native Rifles, Gordon Rifles, and Newton Rifles). Auckland Bearer Corps. Eden Defence Cadets. Grammar School Cadets. King's College Cadets. St. John's College Cadets. The public school cadets inarched via Wellesley-strect East to St. Paul's, the parade states showing upwards of 800 lads in attendance. The order was as follows: —No. 1 Battalion (Major Robb in command) : Onehuuga, Epsom, Newmarket, Parnell (two companies), Remuera, Grafton Road. No. 2 Battalion (Adjutant Wooller): Bcresford-street, Nelson-street, Northcote, Napier-street, Devonport, Normal School nVellesley-street).' No. 3 Battalion (Major Kay): Ponsonby (two companies), Richmond Road, Bayfield, Newton East, Newton West, Mount Albert, Mount Eden. SERVICES AT ONEHUNGA. A memorial service was ■ held yesterday in the Presbyterian Church, Onehunga. The Rev. D. D. Scott conducted the service, assisted by the Revs. W. Sladc and J. M. Stoops. There was a very large attendance. , The Mayor (Mr. John Rowe) and town clerk (Mr. H. A. Yockney) and borough- councillors were present. The service commenced with the hymn, " Now the Labourer's Task is O'er."- Mr. Slade gave a very impressive address on the life and character of the late Premier. He said that any 'mart : who laboured * for" the betterment and for the uplifting of his fellow man was undoubtedly a .servant."of God. He impressed very strongly on his hearers the uncertainty of life, and the necessity of preparation for another. He laid stress on the amount of work the late Premier had done for hie fellow men. The congregation all stood at the close of the service while the " Dead March" in " Saul" was played. A service was also held in St. Peter's Anglican Church. The town band played the " Dead March" in Queenstreet.. ' SERVICES IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. " [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRKSI'ONJDEXTS.] Thames, Thursday. A memorial service was held to-day, which will long be remembered by all who were present. The place of meeting was 1 the Victoria Reserve, and long before the time appointed the people began to gather hi crowds. The rotunda was occupied by a number of representative citizens. The volunteers and veterans, headed by the No. 2 Battalion Band, were 1 present, a* also was the public schools cadet battalion. The service was presided over by the Mayor (Mr. Burns), who made suitable reference to the sudden and sad event which occasioned the gathering, and paid a fitting tribute to the memory of oik whose great aim was to uplift and to make the people of the colony happy and prosperous. The chief Hohepa voiced the natives appreciation of Mr. Seddon. The Rev. Mr. Ruarangi. of Parawai, also spoke. Addresses were also given by the Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan (Anglican), the Rev. T. A. Williams (Baptist and Congregational), and the Rev. E. H. Taylor (Christ, of Christ). The devotional part of the sendee consisted of a prayer, by the R«v R. Taylor (Methodist), the reading of" Psalm xc. by the Rev. S. Henderson (Primitive Methodist), and of I. Corinthians, xv., by the Rev. A. T. Thompson (Presbyterian). The singing was led by a large united choir. The gathering was brought to a conclusion with " I he Dead March," and the Benediction, pronounced by the Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan. Te Ahoha, Thursday. A large number of people in Te Aroha and surrounding districts assembled in the Domain this afternoon, including detachment of . volunteers, . the fire brigade, school cadets, . and members of the Masonic lodge. The Mayor, Mr Hemes, M.H.R., and others gave addresses. A procession was then formed, and marched to the rirebell and dismissed to take part in the memorial services in the various churches. At- St. Mark's (Anglican) a crowded ' congregation" took part in the choral rendering of portions ot the burial service. The Methodist Church was also crowded for the combined Methodist and Presbyterian service. ■ 1 Waihi, lhursday. A memorial service was held at Waihi today. , During the proceedings at the Recreation Ground, this afternoon, the chairman (Mr. " J. Newth) moved, " That this meeting asks the Mayor to call a public meeting for the purpose of considering the best steps to perpetuate the memory of the late Premier, the Hon. R. J. Seddon, by the erection of a memorial." This was seconded by Mr. J. E. Slevin, and the motion carried. Paeiioa, Thursday. To-day was observed as a day of mourning in Paeioa, and business was at a standstill. Crape and other signs of mourning were observable on the business premises and on many private residences, while in all park of the'town flags were flown half-mast. The firebell and the bells of St. Paul's Church and St. Mary's Church were tolled at half-minute intervals. ,• A united memorial service was held in the Criterion Theatre, and the Paeroa Town Band, the Paeroa Fire Brigade, and a large number of the public, were present. Mr. W, Forrest presided. - Addresses were delivered by the chairman, the Rev.- Mr. Sneddon. Lieuten-ant-Colonel. Porritt. Mr. CnssreLs. and Mr. T. Shaw. Appropriate hymns were rendered, and at the conclusion of the service the band played the "Dead March". in "Saul.M St Paul's Church the memorial service war. well attended, and the Paeroa School Cadets paraded to the church. The, Rev. J P. Cowie delivered an impressive dis-

course, and the musical portion of the programme was appropriate to the sad occasion* At St. Joseph's schoolroom ibe Very Rev. Dean Hackett assembled the Roman Catholic scholars of the school, and addressed them. Coromaxdel, * Thursday. A memorial service was held this, afternoon at the Band Rotunda.. Mr. Swindley (county chairman) presided. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Thompson, M.A., and.M. J. Evans. The Coromandel Rifle Volunteers, under Lieutenant Burgess, and the Cadets, under Captains Hyatt and Jamieson, were present; also, a large number of the public. Darcavillk, Thursday.' For the memorial service this afternoon the large hall was packed. Mr. E. T. Field (repieventing Angp'ean Church), the Rev. Wansbone (Presbyterian), and Mr. Stallworthy (Methodist) - took part in the service. Feeling references were made to the deceased statesman, and the service was most impressive. . • Tb'Awamutu, Thursday. A united memorial service held here (his afternoon was very largely attended. Before the .sen-ice a procession marched through the main street. The service was conducted by the Revs. F. Clarke (Anglican). Davidson (Presbyterian), and Hislop (Methodist). Mr. Clarke gave a most impressive address. Cambridge. Thursday. . A close holiday was observed here to-day, and a memorial service was held this afternoon. Prior to the service there was:a procession of bandsmen, volunteers, cadets, school children, clergymen, Freemasons, borough councillors, and Oddfellows, followed by the general public. The attendance was estimated at over 800, and many were unable to gain admittance to the hall. The Mayor, Mr. W. F. Buckiand, delivered an address, and there were appropriate hymns, prayers, and lessons. Whaxoahei,. Thursday. The weather was fine and warm in Whangarei to-day for the memorial gatherings. The volunteers and cadets, members of the friendly societies, Freemasons, and members of local bodies and the general public, in vehicles-, on horseback, and on foot, assembled in large numbers at the Drill Hall, where a procession was formed, and, headed by' the brass band, marched to the Anglican Church. . The belts of the churches and the firebells were tolled solemnly, and the baud played the "L v ' March" as the cortege slowly wended its way to the sacred edifice, where an impressive memorial service was conducted by the vicar. During all the day there was a total suspension of business, flags were at half-must, and other signs of mourning were evident.