TOUCHES OF ORIENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20156, 17 January 1929, Page 12

TOUCHES OF ORIENT.

MR. W. AH CHEE'S FUNERAL. GIFTS AT THE GRAVESIDE. LARGELY-ATTENDED SERVICE.

Essentially Christian in character, with just a distinctive touch or two of the Orient, the funeral of Mr. William Ah Chee, general manager of the firm of Ah Chee and Company, fruiterers, took place at the Purewa Cemetery yesterday.

Thousands gathered in the vicinity of the mortuary in Hobson Street from which the funeral moved, and hundreds of motorcars, a number bearing members of the Chinese Nationalist Party, formed into procession there. Ihe Nationalist cars were decorated with white stiearners, lettered in Chinese characters. So great was the congestion of traffic that the tramway service had temporarily to be diverted. In addition to a large attendance of Chinese, many European fi lends Ol the family were present. Two motor-cars which preceded the hearse were filled with wreaths, while the funeral-car itself was burdened with further floral tributes. The Chinese Nationalist flag on the adjacent Kuo Min Tang building was flying at half-mast as the procession, comprising over 200 cars, moved off.

The attendance was swelled by another large crowd which had gathered at the cemetery. Arrived there, the coffin was borne to the graveside by Mr. Clem Ah Chee, brother, Mr. Norman and Mr. Robert Ah Chee, sons. Mr. Wong Kam Ching, son-in-lawJfeand four representatives of the Nationalist Party. Jn close attendance bearing a large yellow and black wreath, were representatives of several Association football teams which have piaved frequent games against local Chinese teams, the sport being one in which Mr. Ah Chee was keenly interested. The burial service was read by the Rev. W. Mawson, missioner to the Chinese, who was for 20 years in the Canton region. Subsequently Mr. Mawson repeated the service in an abbreviated form in Chinese. An essentially Chinese aspect was then imparted to the solemn ceremony bv representatives of the Nationalist Party, led by the president, Mr. Wong Chi Faat. A biographical sketch of the life of Mr. Ah Chee was given in Chinese, that being followed by a eulogy of his character. Particular reference was made to the fact that he had been interested in everything affecting the welfare of both the Chinese and European communities. He was described as a whole-hearted patriot and a man of great kindliness. The Chinese portion of the ceremony ended with three obeisances toward the grave.

As the assembly moved away at the conclusion of the service, an invitation was-given to accept a bag of sweets. It was explained that it is a Chinese custom on such sad occasions to offer some small present, such as a coin or confectionery, the genfral idea behind the gift being that some small consolation should be given after a grievous experience has been passed through.