THE FUNERAL OF JOHN CRAIG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 670, 10 February 1864, Page 5

THE FUNERAL OF JOHN CRAIG.

(To the Editor of the Dail? Times J

Sir—My attention has been drawn to the following paragraph in your DOtice to-day of the funeral of John Craig :— " On the arrival at the Cemetery, it was found that the cle^yman who had arranged to attend had not made his appearance; after waiting some time messengers were dispatched in search of tlie reverend gentienian, but without success." Permit me to state ihe cause of my absence. Having been requested to consent to the interment of John Craig in the Church of England Cemetery, I willingly complied with Mr Thorn son's request, and fixed an hour for the funeral on Friday last. Shortly afterwards the undertaker, Mr Murray, informed me that in consequence of the postponement of the inquest, tlie funeral could not take place at the hour named. Late on Saturday nieht he again called on me, and told me that'it was necessary that the body shou'd be interred that evening. To this I replied that I was too unwell to attend myself, and that it was too Jate to obtain a substitute, but that if the funeral could be postponed till the following Monday, I would either myself be present, or ask one of the vestry to read the service for me. At Mr Murray's request I wrote a letter to the Coroner stating what I have written above, and gave it to Mr Murray to deliver to him. Nothaving received any reply to my letter, or any farther communication from Mr Murray, I concluded that the funeral had taken place on, Saturday evening. My mrprise was great when I read what appeared in this morning's " Times.'' While expressing my great regret that I was not present at the funeral, my absence, Sir, was not caused; either by unwillingness on my part to attend, or. forgetfulness of the day and hour fixed. Had I been told that the funeral had been postponed till Monday, most certainly I could and should have been preset, or bad one of those "messengers who were despatched in search^ of the reverend gentleman" called at the Parsonage, he would have probably found him at home, and, if so, most willing to accompany him. at once to the cemetery. I am, &c,

E. G. Edwabds The Parsonage, 9th February.