LAST RITES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22970, 23 February 1938, Page 14

LAST RITES

kopuawhara victims , impressive FUNERAL given t BURIAL IN COMMUNAL GRAVE, GOVERNMENT REPRESENTED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] HASTINGS, Tuesday The bodies of seven of the 21 victims of tho Kopuawhara camp disaster were buried*, at the Wairoa Cemetery this morning at a public funeral, which was attended by Ministers of the Crown, representatives of the New Zealand Workers' Union, 500 public works employees, and practically every resident of Wairoa and many from tho surrounding district. The seven victims concerned were Messrs. W. Dunn, 11. Johnston, F. W. Fry, T. Tracby, T. Hall, M. Pender and W. Auld. Five bodies, those of Messrs. Fry, Tracey, Hall, Pender and Auld, received the burial service of the Catholic Church, for which Father Dohcrty, of St. Peter's Church, Wairoa, and the Rev. Father Cullinane, of Greenmeadows Seminary, officiated, while the Ilev. C. E. Hyde, of St. Paul s Anglican Church, Wairoa, officiated in the case of Messrs. Dunn and Johnston. Long Cortege The seven coffins were borne to the cemetery, a mile and a-half away, on a lorry, which was immediately followed by the following Government and union officials on foot: —Tho Hon. P. Fraser, representing the Prime Minister; the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works; Mr. John Wood, engineer-m----chief to tho Public Works Department; Mr. W. L. Newnham, inspecting engineer for tho Public Works Department; Mr. A. G. Harris, Public Works Department engineer at Wairoa; Mr. Hj. W. Mclnnes, engineer in charge at Kopuawhara; Mr. J. W. Parker, overseer at Kopuawhara; Mr. E. L. Cullen, M.P. for Hawke's Bay; Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P. for Gisborne; ? the Hon. F. E. Lark, M.L.C.; Mr. Arthur Cook, general secretary, and Mr. R. Eddy, president, representing the ISew Zealand Workers' Union. Hundreds of Wreaths Sent Following the official party came 500 men from public works in the neighbourhood ; then came two cars containing the relatives of the seven " ien > j after which townspeople and others, travelling in 200 cars, completed the cortege. Hundreds of wreaths were piled on the lorry, while others were carried by members of the official party and public works employees. The seven bodies were buried side by side in a community grave at Wairoa Cemetery, and at the conclusion of the service messages of sympathy were read by the three officiating clergymen from the Governor-General, Viscount Galway tho Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. 'J. Savage, and public works employees at Lake Waikaremoana. All the business houses were closed at the request of the Mayor, Mr. H. L. Harker, NATIONAL SYMPATHY TELEGRAM FROM MR. SAVAGE [by telegraph—press association] WELLINGTON. Tuesday The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, sent a telegram to the Hon. P. Fraser at Wairoa, asking Mr. Fraser to express to the relatives and friends of those lost in the disaster the heartfelt sympathy of the Government and himself at the tragic loss of those valuable lives. Some had perished while trying to save others; thev were companions in life and now comrades in death. The thoughts of all citizens to-day were with the stricken. The country had lost splendid workers, and sympathetic remembrance was the nation's tribute.

AUCKLAND OFFERS AID MR. SEMPLE'S APPRECIATION * ' Thanks for expressions of sympathy and offers of co-operation in raising funds should this prove necessary were contained in a telegram received by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, yesterday from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, in reference to the disaster which overwhelmed the Public Works camp at Kopuawhara, on the East Coast railway, on Saturday morning. Mr. Semple said that the thoughts underlying tho kind message forwarded by the Mayor would ever be remembered by the relatives and friends of those who perished. He also extended his thanks to the Mayor for his Offer of co-operation in raising funds should any subscriptions bo called for to alleviate distress. • /

FULL COMPENSATION PAYMENT BY GOVERNMENT, [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] GISBORNE, Tuesddy Mr. I). W. Coleman, M.P. for Gisborne. states that the Minister of. Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, informed him that the Government will pay full compensation under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act in respect of all the victims of the Kopuawhara tragedy, siniilar to what would have been paid if the victims had lost their lives by accident while working.