LIFE OF SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24598, 1 June 1943, Page 2

LIFE OF SERVICE

CATHEDRAE EULOGY I / HOMAGE OF CITIZENS VERY LARGE CONGREGATION Ministers, members of Parliament, Judges, representatives of the New Zealand and American fighting services and leaders in all departments of Auckland public life took part in the service for the late Mr. Coates in St. Mary's Cathedral. The congregation rose as a mark of respect when Mrs. Coates entered, accompanied by her live i daughters, Mr. Coates' brother, Mr. Rodney Coates, his sisters, a number of J other relatives and his secretary, Miss j Tui Montague. t j The Governor-General, Sir Cyril j Newall, was represented by Conimoilore j K. Rothcrhani, A.D.C., 11. N., and with | the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. P.j F'raser, were nearly all tlie members ot the .Ministry and a huge representation! of both Houses of Parliament, includ-1 ing the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. , S. G. Holland, the lit. Hon. G. W. I Forbes, and the Speaker, the Hon. W. E. Barnard. Among several former Par-| liamentarians was Sir Alexander Young. | Representative Congregation I Also present were the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, Mr. Justice Fair, Mr. Justice Callan, Major-General P. H. Bell, D.5.0., Officer Commanding the Northern Military District, Captain S. D. Jupp, U.S.N., personal representative in New Zealand of Admiral W. F. Halsey, jun., commanding the South Pacific area, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, Sir Ernest Davis, foreign consuls, representatives of the magistracy, all local and public authorities in Auckland and the nearer country districts, education, the professions, patriotic and social organisations and Maori tribes throughout New Zealand. Altogether the congregation numbered more than 1000. The address was given by Archdeacon E. M. Cowie, as deputy for the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt. .Kcv. W. J. Simkin, who was at Dargaville and could not be present. The archdeacon explained that he had been chosen for the task because he was one of the few remaining clergy who had known Mr. Coates' father and mother in the old days, some 46 years ago. He had also had tho privilege of knowing Mr. Coates during eight and a-half years' residence in Wellington. The Spirit of Service Taking as a text tho words of David 011 tho death of Abner, "Know ye not that there is a captain and a great man fallen in Israel," the preacher said it was fitting that the body of one whom they committed to God's loving mercy and care that afternoon should rest in the cathedral church of the diocese in which he had been born and brought up and in which he had been baptised and confirmed, and which contained the constituency ho had represented during the 32 years of his political career. The text was singularly applicable to the passing of Gordon Coates. The measure of human greatness, according to the teaching of Jesus, was not in a man's capacity to lord it over others, but his readiness to serve them, and by this standard Mr. Coates stood high. Few people realised what long hours of toil lie put in, day and night, during the depression, causing anxiety to those most near and dear to him. In the midst of great affairs at that time he even managed to deal with the financial affairs of quite ordinary folk, and his courtesy and patience amazed those who knew how hard-pressed he was. Tribute to Courage Mr. Coates was also great in courage, both physical and moral, and showed the latter when he chose more than once a course of political action which even to some of his admirers was difficult to understand, and which it was for him impossible to explain, in the course of the war. He was a great democrat. who understood that the foundations of democracy were service and self-discipline, and lastly he was great enough frankly to acknowledge mistakes. Few New Zealand statesmen had suffered so much as he from slanderous and lying propaganda. Could not his fellow-citizens who now knelt near his body in the cathedral pledge themselves to rid their political life of the poison of irresponsible criticism and endeavour to implant sportsmanship like his in their political dealings? After the address "Abide With Me" was sung, prayers were said by. Dean W. Fancourt and Archbishop Averill, and the latter gave tho benediction. The service closed with the "Dead March," played by the cathedral organist. Mr. Kdgar Randal.

VERY DRY MONTH CONDITIONS IN MAY Another month of extremely dry weather was experienced in Auckland in -May, the total rainfall of 1.64 in. being considerably less than the average of o.KSin. and the total of 4.80 in. in .May, 1912. There were only 12 days on which rain fell and only one day without sunshine, the total for the mouth being 139 hours 18 minutes. Barometric pressures were consistently high, the mean for the month being 29.996 in. The month was colder than May last year, the mean temperature being 5 t.25 degrees, compared with 5(3.9 degrees. The extreme maximum was lower than last year's at 67 degrees, while the extreme minimum was about I lie same. Winds were moderate and mainly from the south. MAORI CHILD'S DEATH ILL-TREATMENT ALLEGED (0.c.) GISBORNE, Monday Following the death of a two-year-old Maori girl_ at Mauutnke on Friday, a charge of ill-treatment and neglect was brought against the child's aunt in the Gisborne Magistrate's Court before Mr. L. Walton, S.M.. to-day, the inquest also being held. Moron in Tiopira, aged 2.1, was charged that, having custody of a leniale child, Kotira Tiopira, aged two years, she ill-treated and neglected the child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary sulferiny; or injury to health. Detective-Sergeant Waterson stated that accused was arrested yesterday following the death of the child. It was 'expected that a more serious charge would be brought; later on and he asked for a'remand until June S. The remand was granted. When the inquest on the child was held, Dick Tiopira gave evidence that he was the father of the child, which was born on December 25, 1910. Three months ago lie gave the child into the care of his sister, Mereaira Tiopira, who had no children of her own. The inquest was adjourned. _____ ARMY HARVESTERS PROSPECTS FOR NEXT YEAR (0.c.) .IXVERC ARGILL, Monday The possibility that the Army harvesting camps would not lie available next year was mentioned by the secretary, Mr. A. at the annual meeting of the Southern District Council of (he Royal Agricultural Society at Gore. The meeting expressed concern when informed of this possibility and a motion was carried recommending that tlio same service he given to farmers next year. One speaker said the Army was reducing its personnel in New Zealand very considerably, but farmers would have to realise that the grade 2 and 3 men who were being released were being attracted to other industries. Mr. Henry Smith said that, in view of the fact that an Appeal had been made to increase production, he could see grave difficulties ahead.