LAID TO REST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6745, 17 February 1909, Page 5

LAID TO REST.

EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY

¥l@flins @f the Panipli! iisastii".

1 CITY II HOUBHiiS.

Minting Series in' ICarsrl Qsmefery.

Wellington observed a close holiday yesterday forenoon, so that the funeral -of the Penguin's victims should be public in every sense. The hour fixed for tile cortege to leave the Buckle street drillshed, where the bodies which had not been claimed, still rented, was 10 a.m., but long before that time the city was thickly crowded' with people. Others in the meantime touk the nearest route to Karori cemetery, and on every eminence along the Kurori road were seated great crowds of spectators, who awaited the arrival of the procession. Representative, men present included the lion. Dr Fiudlay (jiinister of Justice), the Hen. T. \V." Hislop (Mayor), Mr G. Allport (Secretary of the Marine Department), Air W. A. Ki/unedy (local manager of the CJ.S.S. Co.), Captain Cameron (representing the U.S.B. Co.'s directors), Mr D. A. Aiken (assistant general manager of the company;, Captain U. McDonald (assistant marine superintendent), Mr T. AL. Wilford, M.P. (chairman of the Harbour Board), and manv others. til the collins (covered with*thc "Onion Jack) which were taken from the Drill liall were the bodies of E. Gale (A. 8.), J. Raft'ertv (greaser), Wellmu ('second pantryman), ii. Crook (saloon waiter), H. Wood (fireman;, C. Barnes (trimmer), T. Woodford (A. 8.), Felix Woodward (passenger), Keith Williamson (passenger), and Miss W. M. Ribbands (passenger). The route was changed at the last moment, it being represented that with the open lorries bearing some of the caskets the grade byway of Axo street was too steep, and so it was decided to go via Mount street. Headed by tho Mission Band playing the "Dead March," the procession soon reached a very long line, and it was joined bf a great many more sympathisers

that they joined heartily with him in condoling with the iwor- families who Had been so appallingly stricken. He hoped they would pray that Almighty God would coHsolo those bereaved by the shipwreck and bestow His favour on tho souls of the 'departed. As the people left the church the organist played the "Dead March" from "Saul." DISPOSITION OF THE VICTIMS. Mrs Brittaih and Mr G. Troadec were buried in the Catholic cemetery. Iteouiem mass was celebrated in St. Mary of tile Angels, Boycott street, by the Very Rev. Dean Kegnaalt. At the graveside the Rev., Father Clancy officiated. The service at Miss May Doran's grave was conducted by the Rev. father Bowden. Later in the day Mr S. E. llolcrcft, whose remains were followed l>y many friends ..from the church in Boulcott street, including representatives of the Wellington' and Blenheim branches of the Hibernian Society, was buried, the Rev. Father Venning officiating. The bodies of Messrs G. Barnes and Eafferty, members of the crew, also found a rest-ing-place there. In the Anglican section were interred Felix Woodward, E. Gale, Thomas Woodford, Jirnest Crooke, J. Wellum, H. AVcod, and Miss Ribbands. The service was conducted by the. Ven. Archdeacon Fancourt, Rev. T. 11. Sprott, and Rev. Mr Hansell. The funeral of the chief eavgineer, Mr Ilrquhart, was arranged by the -Marino Engineers' Institute, and took place from his residence, Webb street, where the Rev. Dr Gibbi of St. John's Presbyterian Church, conducted a service, assisted by the Rev. J. K. Elliott. Amongst those following the cortege were Mr IJrquhart (son of deceased), Captain Naylor (master of the Fonsui.ii), Messrs \V. Luke (second engineer of the Penguin), .1. Darling (president of Marine Fngiueers' Institute), W. Cable, Wi T. Glasgow (Secretary of

"N.Z. Times," photo. THE SOLE WOMAN SURVIVOR. Mrs Joe Hanam is the only woman survivor of the wreck. Sha is twenty-seven years old, tall, and very strong. The boat containing Mrs Hanam and her four children was being lowered, when the tackle falls gave way. She heard the little ones .cry, "Oh, mamma, help us!" but she could do nothing to save them, lust before she left the ship her husband was on. deck. Sue called out,>"Cheer up, old man!" He simply waved his hand and called, "Good-bjte I" The boat with its occupants floated landwards for hours, leaking .badly. Nearing the breakers on enormous wave struck the craft, and it capsized. All were thrown into the sea. Mrs Hanam hung to a rope, clasping her baby. She also helped Ellis Matthews to make himself secure. They were imprisoned beneath the boat all the time until it was thrown up on the beach, and they were found and rescued at daylight by some shepherds. The poor little baby had in the meantime died from exposure, i

at various'points en route. Meanwhile private funerals of victims ivere leaving the citv from the residences of- relatives and friends, and as these all met on the Karori road, the sight was very affectThousands of people gathered at the gates of the cemetery, where it was very difficult for the police to keep the gatewav clear. In the plots in the graveyard allotted to the different denominations the work of burial was proceeding at the same time. The scene left a deep impress on all who stood by the numerous open graves. * REQUIEM MASS. At the Basilica. Hill street, -yesterday morning requiem mass was celebrated for the repose of the souls of the victims Archbishop Redwood was assisted !.v llev Father O'Reilly as deacon and Rev Father Bowden as sub-deacon, v en.' -Vrchdeacon Devoy also being present. There was a very large attendance. Iho coffin containing Miss Mary Doran occlimed a ph«e outside the altar rails. Iho musical portion of the service was in thorough, keeping with ate solemn occasion Archbishop luxhreod, referring to the sad disaster, esprewrd the great svm-; nathv lie felt wl a " « 10SE! families throughout the Dominion who had been ! so .suddenly and ;o awfully afflicted lie j felt certain that he interpreted tiiu feelings of the congregation when he said]

Customs), Aj R. Hislop (secretary of Marine Bnginipers* Institute), and others. The burial son-ice was conducted by tha Rev. Mr Ellwlt, the Rev. Dr Gibb assisting. Many beautiful wreaths were seat.

Barge numhers of friends gathered at the residence of Captain Stewart, of the t'.s. Patcena,; Majoribanks" street, from which place/the funeral of the late Mr C. H. Hale, and Mrs Hale started. The firm with whom Mr Hall had been employed, Messrs Jfaeky, .Logan, Caldwell and" Co., was, thoroughly, represented, as well as the Commercial Travellers' Club .and the soft goods warehouses of Wellington. The lieve. J. Paterson and W. Shirer officiated at the graveside of Mrs \V. I{. Sv.mons and.her two daughters and Mies Jevsic Rennie. Many friends attended the funeral. The principal mourners were Maestri W. S. Ke.id (father of Mrs Synious}, L. O. Keid. -E. Reid, E. \Y. Lowe, and If,. P. Kawson. At tlie burial of Mr T. Kogers, of Newtown, whose funeral was attended by numerous friends, the service was conducted by the Rev. W. J. Williams. Mr C. Bird was buried in the Anglican section, just overlooking the graves of four others (who were laid to rest simultaneously. Athletic, commercial, and other friends were present at the graveside in lurce numbers.

The Rev. TV. Shirer conducted the service at Mr Keith Williamson's grave. There was a touching .scene at the graveside of the poor little McGuires. As the Kev. Vi 7 . Shuer conducted the service a reverent crowd gathered, and when the Central Mission Band softly played the children's liyhin, "When Ho Cometh," scores of sympathetic voices joined in the singing. Mrs Jacob (saloon stewardess) was buried in the afternoon. Amongst the mourners were her two daughters. Air and ilrs Benzies, Mr and Mrs 'Wood (sister and brother respectively), Messrs and Miss Benzies (nephews and niece). Among the other mourners were Mr SicNichol and Mr Stevens (representing the Union Company), Mr Nelson (s.s. Maori). Messrs Lewis," White, iieggie, and Edwards, friends of the deceased's acted as pall-bearers. A number of wreaths were sent by the chief and sceond stewards and others of the s.s. Maori, Mrs Lindsay (U.S.S. Co.), Mrs Morley and mother, Mrs YV. Jacob and mother, Mrs Jacobsen and assistants, and Mr W. J. Claridge, and others. The Wellington branch of the .Navy League sent p. handsome wreath, taking the form of a floral anchor. THE DEATH KOLL ONE MORE VICTIM, AND ONE DELETION. The death roll of the disaster was not altered by yesterday's . developments, though two changes were made in consequence of further information coming to hand. The name of Miss Jennings has appeared in the list of drowned, as she had booked to travel by the Penguin on Inday night, but a telegram received by a relative in Wellington conveys the good news that she is safe at Blenheim. This reduction of the list is, however, counterbalanced by the certainty that.

THE LATE MR T. ROGERS, Of 133, Adelaide road, Wellington, who went down in the Penguin. another victim has to be recorded, viz., Mr James Collins, of Charleston, who was travelling with two fellow-delegates to the Foresters' Conference. His name did not appear in the passenger list, but Mr Perkins, the only one of the throo delegates saved, is quite sure he was on board. This statement has been corroborated from Wcstport. Mr Collins was thirty-eight years of age and lived with bis jKueuls at Charleston, near Westport. He was unmarried. His mother is at present staying in Auckland with Mr W. Derham, of the Victoria Hotel, the deceased's brother-in-law. '• Mr Derham arrived from Auckland last night, and is going out to the scene- of the wreck to-day, in the hope that Mr Collins's body will be found. The, deceased had long promised to visit 'hit, vclativ«9 ii'n Auckland, .and was bound for the northern city when overtaken by death in so tragic a manner. FURTHER BEAECH FOR BODIES. OUTLYING ROCKS TO BE EXAMINED A close search, for bodies among outlying rocks will be made by a party to be taken out on the tug Terawhiti at daybreak. There is a chance of fin-ding further victims among the crevices of the rocks or entangled in the kelp, and no accessible place along :a wide stretch of beach will be overlooked. . An oil-launch is to be used by the searchers. The latest advico from Ohau J3ay stated that no more bodies were'discovered yesetrday, and wreckage had ceased coming ashore. The police on duty at the beach were therefore returning to town. Gear for handling wreckage will be sent out by the tug, and everything possible in the wav of salvage will: bo undertaken. Apparently, there are still more than twenty bodies to be recovered. \ THE INQUEST OPENED ADJOURNED TILL WEDNESDAY ■ ' . . NEXT. ; The inquest on the bodies of those who lost their lives by the wreck was opened in, the Magistrate's Courtroom yesterday afternoon, before Dr A. HeArthur, S.M., Coroner. The sworn in comprised Messrs J. D. Soivwright (foreman), J. B. Speed, G. Wahren, E. J. Staples, T. Warnock, and W. McKay. The Coroner explained to the jury tho provisions of the Coroners Amendment Act, 1908, which declared that it was

THE LATE MR G. A. LOOSEMORE, Third officer Vwlio it is believed went down with-the vessel, having been seen attending to the passengers to the last without having a lifebelt on. He was born in Herefordshire, and was 38 yeai-6 of age. He leaves a -widowed mother, w-ho resides in Lewiskam, Kent. A sad coincidence in connection with his death is that it occurred on tho firet anniversary of his wedding. The young couplo were wedded in England, and were exceptionally devoted to each other. Sire Loosemore resides at Brooklyn.

not necessary for a jury to view the bodies before holding an inquest. He had himself visited Hie scene of the wreck on Sunday, to view the bodies, S.ud had given certificates allowing them to be buried. The jurors would understand that the proceedings now being, taken were merely preliminary, and would not detain them long. A nautical inquiry into the working of the ship and the eiiuso of the disaster was to commence next day, and after that was over the inquest could be lairlv proceeded with. Then it would be known what witnesses should bo'called. To commence nn inquest right away would simply bo groping in the darkness, as no one kuew what anyone would say if called, Some

MR McMENAMIN, Whose kindness to shipwrecked crews is proverbial. mijht be of use, some not; and until after the inquiry no one could know which was which. After the inquiry they would be able to select what witnesses . they thought would be useful. The CorjEier therefore proposed that the inquest should 'be adjourned until 2.15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24th. The jury agreed to adjourn the inquest as suggested. MRS HANAM A SAD JOURNEY, Mrs Hanam, the sole surveying woman of the Penguin's company, leaves for Picton to-day, where the burial of her husband and four children takes place at half-past 2 to-morrow. The bodies will be conveyed in the same vessel that Mrs Hanam sails by. Her two brothers are in Wellington, having come 'over from Picton by the first boat after they received the' news of the disaster. It is interesting to note that Mrs Hanam had another trying experience some years ago. An open boat in which she was crossing the.Waitara bar was cap-

siz»d and all the occupants were precipitated into thu sea. After a hard struggle for life they all got ashore. ' Speaking to a "Times" reporter yesterday Mrs Hanam said,she would certainly not live in Picton again. She would return to Wellington after the burial of her family, but was not sure of tor subsequent movements., lira HJanam's dreadful misfortunes have touched the hearts of sympathisers all over Australasia, this being testified in a practical manner, for she has been informed That a sum of money, remitted from Ballarat; has been placed to her credit in the Bank of Australasia.

The Union Company has received the following messages of sympthy: Prom the captain, officers and men of H.M.S. Encounter, Hobart:— "Express

MR A. R. THOMPSON, (Purser). Ho was one of those who readied the shore safely on a raft. Last Ar.gust Mr fThonvpfion was wrecked on the vest coast of Tasmania in the ill-fated steamer Katratiri.

deep sympathy with you and relatives of those who lost their Uvea in. *ho recent fatal disaster to the Penguin.'' From chairman of Greymouth Htaa* be-ur Hoard:—"The board at a moating' to-night passed a resolution regroWliiig ictw of life, and expressing sincere syiu* pathy with relatives of passengers and crew drowned in ivreck of Penguin." Tho Mayor, lion. T. W. Hislop; nos received Ihe following telegram:-* From Mr AVilson. Mayor of Brisbane/ Queensland:—"Citizens of Briebaua sympathise vcHh Mifforcrs and bereaved by wreck steamer Penguin." j Before taking ordinary business, tho, general committee of_tho Wellington Provincial Industrial" association last nig'M recorded a vote of sympathy with thosd bereaved as a .result of the Penguin disaster. The Greymontli Harbour Board has adopted a resolution of regret at tho terrible loss of life in the Penguin disaster, and expressed its sympathy with the bereaved. i r-KESH ASSOCIATION*. CHEISTCHtmCH. February 16. Tho Congregational Union to-day do» cided to send the following telegram to the Mayor of Wellington:—"The Congrcgntoinal Union, now sitting in Christchurch, extends to the bereaved and suffers ill rough the wreck of tile Penguin their most profound sympathy." In addition to the general mossago special messages of sympathy were Bent to Mr*" A. E. Bono and Mr James Henry. TELEGRAM FROM THE PREMIER. INTEREST IN ENGLAND. AUCKLAND, February 16. : The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has replied as follows'to a message from the Mayor of Christclnireli expressing sympathy with the sufferers by tha Penguin wreck and his suggestion; .for raising a fund: thank tho citizens of Chriistchiiroh for the. kind message of sympathy to sufferers and friends and relatives of those who lost lives in the sad disaster. It is difficult nt the moment to know what may be required to give relief to those who have been left behind, but as 6oou as it is ascertained what is rcquirI ed the Government trill gladly co-ope-rate | to afford relief aJid assistance." The Prime Minister has received a cable message from the High Commissioner informing him that great eym. pa thy has been expressed at Homo, n.nd the deepest interest is evinced- in tliei sad loss of life caused by the wreck of tho I Penguin, and that numerous inquirie.t were being made as to the names of tliosm lost. Sir Joseph Ward cabled in reply giving the who)© of tho name* and idontifica» tions. FEDERATED SEAMEN'S UNION/. ; At a, meeting of tho Australasian Fed« eratod Seamen's * Union last night the ibl. lowing resolution woa passed:—"Tho members of this union record with regret the unfortunate disaster which be. fell the s.s. Penguin on Friday night last, resulting in groat loss of life, and desires to hereby"'respectfully convey to the relatives and friends of our deceased comrades, other members of tho crow and passengers our heartfelt fiymnaithy in the sad. and untimely.'loss they have sustained." _ ■ It w\as unanimously doeided to vote each surviving member of the union a shipwreck donation of ,£lO from tin funJTs. It wns also resolved that a subscription, list bo prepared In ■ aid of deceased members, and that copies of tho list be forwarded to all nvn"h--'< oi I the federation throughout Australasia. I ' FATE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. "WHAT IS TO BE WILE BE." In disasters such as that which over- . took the Penguin there aro. always, num- .;■ erous instances of people being turned asidoifiom taking intended action, which if it hud been carried out would have; in all''probability led to some of tho living being numbered with tho dead to-day. Several audi eases have been mentioned ■.:'■ in connection with the Penguin disaster, ; but none which Would have had .such far-reaching results as the one about to bo here narrated. , ■■■■.'-..

.:.' There is no section of the- "travelling public"who go down to the sea in ships and are so constantly on tho move as theatrical organisations, and it was only owing to an alteration in the route mode practically at the: eleventh hour, that One of such was not on board the. doomed union liner on,what proved her last voyage. Although they did not, of course, know it at the time, the meeting of, Messrs (Tom I'ollaTd, Eru|cst Sehatz (then a partner of Mr Pollard's), and Mr Fred Duval, the'old-time advance manager, in the theatre at Adelaide only a few weeks ago was fraught with tremendous importance. , In such organisations it is customars to arrange tho "route" to be .worked' months ahead. Owing to the strike a) Broken Hill .and. Port Pirio being similarly affected, it was found necessary by the management of the Pollard Juvenile Opera Company to cut the dates booked for these, towns out. Otherß had to bo selected to fill the vacancies. The tour of the Australian States was noaring 'an end, and a visit to Pollard's happy hunt-ing-ground, New Zealand, which on tho basis of population is considered one of: the best theatrical show countries in tho world, was contemplated. The i-oute for this country had been practically settled, but its reconsideration was mad« necessary on account "of the Broken Hill and Port Pirie dates having to be abandoned.' '.-.■"

Originally the company's intention was to play short seasons at Blenheim and Nelson before commencing a North Island tour. This decision had gone "so far as the booking of dates in those towns. Those selected for Nelson arranged for tho coucl usion of tho season there km Thursday night, February llth, tho company leaving a few hours after the performance by the Friday's steamer for Wellington, and opening at Masterton on Saturday, February 13th: Had this programme bcon. carried out. Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company, of forty-seven souls, consisting in the main of children, mostly girls of ages varying from twelve to eighteen, or probably of an even still more tender age, most of whose parents reside in Melbourne, would have been involved in the disaster. Fortunately, indeed, these plans were altered. Jir Fred Duval preferred tho advice that, as the company intended, after the North Island tour, doing the West Coast us well as other portions of th« South, : it would save extra expense of steamer fares involved in a special trip to Blenheim and Nelson by playing these towns when en route to the VVest Coast. This the other members of 'the management .readily ireceghised, would on economic grounds be much the better method to pursue. Consequently other arrangements were made, and thus by Fate, or call it. what you will, were some thirty-five children turned aside from a path that would have rendered intensely more hideous and far-reaching in its dire effect, the ghastly tragedy of the Terawbiti seashore.

Among other individual cases of- a similar narrow escape may be mentioned that 'of Mrs Rogers, of Wellington, whose husband, Jlr T. Rogers, was drowned. ' Mrs Rogers' accompanied her husband as far as I'icton on this trip to the Coast, disembarking there and going up to Blenheim by rail to spend a week or two with friends or relatives. When they parted the arrangement made woe that Mrs Rogers should await at ; Blenheim her husband's return from the Coast, and rejoin him at I'icton. The illness of one of her daughters in Wellington necessitated her return a few day*

earlier than intended, aii<l Mr 3 Rogers ciiinc buck to Wellington in tim Penguin (lie trip before her filial lust, on Monday week. Tims was she, 100, saved from an almost certain watery grave. J" that <'<iw a large orphaned family would have been recorded with the pathetic- severjimo of family lie*, as a, result of tho Trill v may one bo strengthened in tlio conviction licld by uiaiiy, although scouted by others, thai "What is to ho will be." JOTTINGS .Vis.-* Ifemiic's father, who resides at Timarii, was one of the mourners at hor funeral. The relatives of J. Wood (known on Um. I'm.giiin «« "Junk Ward") live in High street, <llh-skow. Mr John Seed, one of the, dead identified on Monday, wa.s .10 years of ago and lived at Kwillibiook. Canterbury. The lalbcr of Mr I-'tlix Woodward, who wan -i.iiil to have resided ia lirisb.-uie, renei' s thai, there must be some mistake, an he lias no son named Felix Mr George Melrityro undo of the lato elu-f ollieer of the Penguin, and Sir A. [,. liird, a brother of .Mr Charles Bird, another of the victim*, arrived in Wcl-li-uglon from Chri-ileliureh yesterday.

All ."hit Zealand offices of tho Union Steam Shi|i Company were closed ycslorihiy menuiik from HI fill II o'clock as a mark of to the victims whoso burial was then in progress.

Miss Dorothy M. Ribbands, who lost her life in the wreck, was a native of lloiu-hurc-li. Isle of Wight, Unylaud. She bad a brother living in Napier who arrived in Wellington in time to attend the funeral.

Mr T. Koger*, of Nowtown, a victim of llir> disaster, was one, of the few of the old.-.st master plumbers and tinsmiths of Now Zealand still actively cnBiii'Hl in thai, calling, lie landed in Wellington in IH7I in the ship Wcniunglou, imd was engaged in business in Wanganiii and oilier towns, the last seven yearn at V.U, Adelaide road, almost immediately opposite the Tramway Hotel. The deceased was possessed of good inventive faculties, among other patents he produced boing a patent spoiitini; machine, it was in conue/stiou with the erection of one of these that lin made a trip recently to Westport, and returning from thero ho lost his lifo In the Penguin disaster. Ito leave! a widow and largo family, most of whom are grown up and some married. The late Mr Rogers was 55 years of age. at the tiimo of his decease. As mentioned elsewhere, Mrs Rogers would have been with him on the Penguin but for sickness in the family recalling her to Wellington five (lays sooner than intended. The name of Thomas Woodford, A.E., appears amongst the list of thoso drowned. Mr W. T Young, secretary of the Seamen's Union, says this man was known to him m Leonard Owens, who eomo time ago wrote him a letter signed "trfonard Owens. He was formerly on Hie Stormbird, and had not been long in Now Zealand. A memorial scrvico in connection with the Penguin disaster was held in the Missions to Seamen Church last night, a largo congregation being present. Mr Janirs Mooro, the missioner, preached a touching sermon, taking his text from Jeremiah xlix, 11. Mr E. L. Burgess mlso delivered an address, and Mr J. S. Cummings read the lesson. Appropriate hymns wwero siing, and the Dead March in "Saul" was played. The lain Mr .T. Rafferty, greaser, was alxmt 'ls years of age. and was formerly a conductor on the Brooklyn section of the tramway. Mr Rafferty was born in (ho north of Ireland. Ho was if an inventive turn of mind, and had perfected a non-fouling trolley-head which hud been favourably commented unon by experts. Mr Rafferty joined the Penguin as greaser in order to qualify as an engineer. YESTERDAY'S PUBLIC FUNERAL (To the Editor "N.Z.. Times.") Sir,—Yesterday's sad 6pe<*tacle is >ver. But while the subject still engrosses tho public attention I feel that Borne observations upon tho conduct of the whole matter are painfully pertinent. Tho public was informed that the cortego would lonvo tho Drill Hall at 10 a.m. for Kurort Cemetery, by which—in tho conspicuous absence of any specified route—tho public was evidently expected to crowd up to tho starting point or to bo in tho vicinity of tho cemetery. Tho citizens, of course, had to do one or tho other. But thousands of people, misplacing_ their judgment on particular rotates, missed the procession, or had fo hurry by various ways to view or join it. Ae to tho "pnblio" character of the funeral, wh-oro was it? 'Whore was the largo body, of seamen and those engaged about tho shipping who should have followed tho public rurisra? A medloy dozen or two wore there. Where was tho representative body,'"in numbers ae should havo been expected, from the Union Company? I did not observe deputations from public and other bodies such as tho City Council, Civil departments, gtvjlds, etc Tho nrlvato burials, no doubt, absorbed many members of the public, wMi tho friends of the deceased. The no-called "pubtic" funeral was in all ways a sad sight indeed. Almost moro deplorable was the gaiety of attire and tho holiday mood of tho crowd in general. This was most unpardonable. The indifference of the mob in the front of the procession was striking. Tho contents of various cabs were smoking. The jehus. too. woto gniltv of the same. I saw some of them in the cemetery Itself with pipes and cigarettes in mouth. Bach of th« lorries carrying the coffins also hnd a complement of loafers taking a. ride. There may have boon a police constable with the cortege, but I did not see him. At the cemetory gates better order should havo ruled. The interment of tho victims was unworthythe noblo behaviour of all on board tho Penguin.—l am, etc., P. W. STEWART. Wellington, February 10th. DISGRACEFUL PROCEEDINGS. REFLECTING DISCREDIT ON PUBLIC AND POLICE. (By .149.) Tho idea conveyed yesterday waß that Wellington bad turned out for "a show," and this idea was confirmed as tho procession moved off along the streets. People fought for places on fences, strangled in long line© over every track thai, led from road to road on the tortuous way, and clambered to points of vantage. Thousands of people preceded and succeeded tho procession, and' the noise of their eager chattering, tho utter lack of decorum and discipline struck a harsh note. Women with wholo fami- . lies of children struggled up tho hills, and many carried infants and panted along, determined to get as much sightseeing us possible. Tractmongors pushed their wares upon tho foolish, unthinking crowd. Along the tramway route and the many streets that led to the Karori cemetery immense crowds of people struggled for places—crowding and chattering. Among tho fow who showed appropriate cognisance of tho intense tragedy of tho occasion wero a band of seamen and firemen who had cora» rfiraijjlit from the decks and from the —stokeholds of their ships. With grimy facos nnd sweat rags round their th roats, wearing tail-stained clothes, these men »yirehroniscd the sorrow that tho giddy.!

crowd of Wellington city absolutely failed to show. ■

At tho gates of tho cemetery Police Commissioner Dinnio was present in charge of two constables! The police arrangements were ridiculous beyond belief. Outside waa a mob, striving to get into the sacred grounds. Women, carrying children in their arms, fought frantically for places. Men, whoso onlv excuse was curiosity, struggled and tr<>d on anyone in their way. 'l'he two boy constables at tho gate, with their chief, were utterly powerless. . the crowd burst through, and chuckled as though it had gained a victory. Children had to bo handed over the fence, in order that they might bo saved from injury. Some women in tho crowd screamed and fainted. Nono of them bv their demeanour had any real right to l/o there. Insido tho cemetery there, was pandemonium, People really picnicked on tiio tombs of tho dead. They stood in heaps on marble slabs, and pushed their children to the edjjo of tho newly-made graves, so that they might obtain a better view. Clergymen had to ask stunid women, who were chattering like magpies, to desist, in order that the solemn service, for the burial of the dead might be recited. The la.-k of heart shown by the immense crowds of rude Wellington peoplo was a more pitiable sisht than the eorpoostrewn be;ich off Terawhiti, and if there are any persons who should bo thoroughly ashamed of themselves it is tho chiefs of police who allowed tho mob to carry tho gates of the cemetery yesterday.