LATE GENERAL MELVILL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 11

LATE GENERAL MELVILL

MINISTER’S APPRECIATION NEW ZEALAND ARMY'S TRIBUTE. During the week-end the Minister for Defence (the Hon. Sir Heaton' Rhodes) stated that he wished to convey to commanders, staff, and all ranks of units of the Territorial Force and Cadets, also officers of the New Zealand Division of the Boyal Navy, the Military Forces, the Air Force, and all ex-members of the N.Z.E.F., his keen appreciation of the general turn-out, soldierly bearing, and reverent demeanour of the troops who were present at the funeral of the late General Melvill. “Their voluntary attendance in large numbers at such short notice," added the Minister, “not only indicates a fine feeling towards their late commander, but shows that a splendid spirit exists in all units of the Wellington Garrison and Hawke's Day Regiment, and New Zealand Corps of Signals, who came from their annual training camp at Trentham. In the case of the Wellington troops, such a large and representative parade could not have taken place without the hearty co-opera-tion or employers, and I offer them my warmest thanks. By this act Wellington has shown a fine spirit and enabled a well-deserved tribute to be paid to a gallant soldier. I wish also to thank tho police and the City Council officials ■who so ably controlled the traffic and allowed the funeral procession to proceed so smoothly through the crowded streets." SYMPATHY OF ARMY COUNCIL The following cable message has been received by Defence Headquarters, Wellington, from the Secretary of State for War, London: —“Have learned with great regret of the death of General Melvill. Please accent and convey to relatives deep sympathy of myself and Army Council/'