FUNERAL OF BALFOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20521, 24 March 1930, Page 9

FUNERAL OF BALFOUR.

'simple ceremonial. SISTERS' PATHETIC GRIEF. GREAT SERVICE IN ABBEY. A NOTABLE ASSEMBLAGE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received March 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 22. The most simple rites were observed at the burial of the late Earl of Balfour in the private cemetery at Whittinghame in the shadow of the Lammermuir hills. While the funeral was taking place the nation was honouring the dead statesman in Westminster Abbey, Edinburgh Cathedral and Cambridge University Church. Besides the late earl's own people the only others present in the church at Whittinghame were his immediate relatives, including the aged and feeble Miss Balfour who for many years was her 1 -.-other's hostess.

Miss Balfour was completely overcome by the service conducted by the Rev. Marshall Lang, brother of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who took part in the service in Westminster Abbey. The village schoolmaster played a "Dead March ' on the tiny harmonium. Snowdrops Sprinkled on Coffin. Six of the oldest servants on the estate carried the white-palled coffin to a farm waggon drawn by carthorses, on which the late peer was borne on his last journey through the land which foimcd the route of his favourite walk. The way lay past an institute-and a bowling green, which Lord Balfour had presented to the village. When the coffin was lowered into the grave Miss Balfour was lifted from her invalid-chair and, assisted by relatives, walked slowly to the grave-side. She sat on the excavated clay and showered snowdrops from a basket on to the coffin, sobbing- bitterly meanwhile. The other members of the family followed, each sprinkling snowdrops into the grave. Hundreds of wreaths wete sent from people in all parts of the world. Ihey included one from the High Commissionei for New Zealand, Mr. T. M. Wilford, and Mrs. Wilford, inscribed " A Tribute from New Zealand to a Great Empire Statesman." Those at the gravc-side included a company of Japanese students from Edinburgh, who had asked permission to pay their personal respects to the dead carl. Scene in Westminster Abbey. The grief of one of Lord Balfour's sisters, the Dowager Lady Rayleigh, caused a poignant incident in Westminster Abbey. Although she had been urged not to attend, owing to her ill-health, she did so. She sat in a bath chair near the choir stalls.

While the choir was singing: "I know that my Redeemer liveth," Lady Rayleigh s hertd fell forward and her shoulders shook. She raised one thin white hand appealingly and a woman knelt beside her. Lord Dawson of Penn, the King's Physician, left his place and hurried forward and took Lady Rayleigh's hand. She raised her head and smiled. Then she clasped her hands and remained motionless until the service ended.

The great congregation in the Abbey included the Duke of York, representing the King, Britain's prominent statesmen, representatives of the services, Ambassadors from foreign Powers, scientists, businessmen and representatives of all branches of public life.