THE LATE MR. BOLLARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19727, 29 August 1927, Page 10

THE LATE MR. BOLLARD.

INTERMENT AT KARORI.

AN IMPRESSIVE PTJNERAL,

MANY FOLLOWERS TO GRAVESIDE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. J WELLINGTON. Sunday. The interment of the body of the lato Hon. R. F. Bollard took place on a sunny hillside in the Karori Cemtery yesterday morning. There was a very large attendance, including members of the Legislature, representatives of public and sporting bodies and members of the public. Sprigs of acacia deposited by the Minister's brethren of the Masonic Craft mark the site of the grave and beside these evergreen leaves there is a small mountain of blooms, tributes from friends and organisations from as fa: apart as North Auckland and the Bluff.

The funeral was one of simple dignity Its note was to be found in the soft tones of the old hymn. "Abide V\ ith Me, which seemed to fill St. Paul's Pro-Cathe-dral as the pall-bearers bore the casket from the chancel down the nave. Assembled in cars in accordance with the table of precedence from the representatives of the Governor-General, through the members of the Cabinet, the Speakers and members of both Houses of Parliament, representatives of the Army and Navy, down to the secretariat, the official mourners left Parliament at 10 o'clock for the late Minister's residence in I'inakori Road, where the pall-bearers, Messrs. J. S. Dickson and J. Bitchener (Government), D. G. Sullivan (Labour Party), T. E. Y. Seddon (Nationalist), E. W. fcurd (master of Renown Lodge), and F. Duncan (master of Lodge William Ferguson Massey), brought the casket to the waiting hearse. There were too many wreaths for the hearse, and a black and purple draped lorry was requisitioned to fc-ad the cortege.

At length the column moved quietly ahead to the cathedral. Here were waiting Mrs. Bollard and three of her daughters, Mrs. Wallace Hunter, Miss Muriel Bollard and Miss Madge Bollard. Reverently the casket was carried up the nave to the chancel, its closest attendants being the late Minister's two sons, Mr. Jack Bollard, of Tamahere, and Mr. Harold Bollard, of Wellington, and brothers and relatives, including Mr. W. Bollard, of Dunedm, Messrs. Ben and Albert Bollard, of Auckland, Mr. John Milne, Mr. C. Waters, Mr. V. Pollard and Mr. E. N. G. Poulton, the Minister's private secretary. Then came the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, and the other mourners. The church was filled by the time Bishop Sprott commenced _ the service. Archdeacon A. M. Johnson assisted at the service.

Over 77 motor-cars formed an imposing cortege, which passed over the hills of Karori to the cemetery. Archdeacon Johnson officiated at the graveside. A Masonic service was also conducted.

RACING CLTJB'S SYMPATHY.

FRIENDSHIP AND INTEGRITY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT,.] HAMILTON, Saturday. The deep sympathy of members of the Waikato Racing Club with the relatives of the late Hon R. F. Bollard was expressed by the president, Mr G W. Vercoe. at the opening of the annual meeting to-day Mr Bollard, in the course of his career, had many difficulties to overcome," said Mr Vercoe, " but whatever they were he overcame them honourably It may have been that on occasions the club has not seen eye to eye with him, but with his friendship and his integrity we had no fault to find." Coupled with the names of the latr Mr. C. F Mark and Mr. V. H. Sanson, a motion of sympathy was honoured in silence. TRIBUTES IN AUCKLAND. LOYALTY TO PUBLIC SERVICE. i v To synchronise with the service in Wellington, a memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning at the old home of the late Hon. R. F. Bollard, by the Rev. Alfred Drake. A number of the Minister's relatives and personal friends who were unable to make the journey to Wellington attended. Several Government offices in the city closed from 10.30 o'clock on Saturday morning as a mark.of respect. The Auckland executive of the New Zealand Political Reform League carried a resolution expressing sincere regret at the death of the Minister and recording its appreciation of his loyalty to duty, honesty of purpose, faithful diligence in public service, and geniality of disposition which endeared him to friends and political opponents alike. The loss .suffered by Parliament was acknowledged and deplored. The people of the Dominion, said the resolution, had suffered by the removal of a trusted servant of the land he loved and sought unselfishly to serve.