FUNERAL PYRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21980, 15 June 1933, Page 8

FUNERAL PYRE

CREMATION OF BODY INDIANS AT TAUMARUNUI The cremation of the body of an Indian woman, who died at Taumarunui, was carried out on a funeral, pyre in the cemetery at Taumarunui on Friday afternoon. This was the first cremation of a body in the town (says the Taumarunui Press), and the second in the Taumarunui district. There was one about three years ago at Tatu, when an Indian boy died as the result of a rifle shot. On arrival at the cemetery a. number of Indian friends assisted the husband of the deceased (Mrs Udham Kaur Harman Singh) to build the pyre of matai logs, a cord of firewood being used for the purpose. When the pyre, or “ chitta,” as the Indians call it, was half-built, the body was brought .from the hearse and deposited on the logs. The body was wrapped in fine linen and covered over all with a beautiful red cover of flowered silk. On the body was placed a floral wreath and bunches of flowers. The husband sprinkled a bottle of perfume over the covered body, and scattered “ cardamum ” seed and spices over the perfume. Then the attendants arranged 24 11b pats of butter around and on the body, and the husband emptied 101 b of mixed nuts and 41b of sultanas over the lot. HUSBAND LIGHTS PYRE,

The building of the pyre then proceeded, the logs being arranged in tiers over the body till it was practically hidden from view. In India it is the office of the garanthi (priest) to light the pyre, but, in the absence of a priest, the pyre was lighted by the husband, who used paper and dry scrub for the purpose, and before long the whole of the " ehitta ” was burning fiercely. When the pyre was well alight Kaitar Singh,_ a friend of the husband, conducted a service in Hindustani. Interpreted, the message he had to convey was that everybody had to come to the same place—dust to dust and ashes to ashes. He asked God to forgive the sins of deceased, and take her to the place the Indians called “ Surgh ” (heaven). At the close of the service the speaker expressed the appreciation of the Indians for the presence and sympathy of the townspeople. The husband also expressed his thanks to Mr Manson, the public, the health officer, and others who had helped him in his trouble. BABY. NINE DAYS OLD.

Mr Harmnn_ Singh ig a Sikh, born in Punjab, and big wife was from the same part of India. Mr Singh has been a resident of New Zealand for the past 15 or 1G years, and has spent some years of his life at Ongaruc, where he won great esteem from all who have had dealings with him. A few years ago he returned to India and married Udham Kaur, the wife who has just died, at the age of 25 years. About 18 months ago Singh again returned to India and brought hie wife to live with him at Ongarue. The deceased leaves her husband and a boy five years of age, and also a baby nine days old.

Amongst the mourners at the pyre were five Sikhs and several Indians. The building of the pyre and other arrangements for the ceremony were carried out under the direction of Mr Akhter, of Taumarunui. Two friends of the husband waited by the pyre till nothing but ashes remained, and the full ceremonies connected with the Indian custom were carried out.

A weight guesser at San Francisco offered to guess the weight of Steve Vargas, cafe proprietor. He agreed to pay double for his meal if he was throe pounds out or nothing in the case of a correct guess. He ran his hands over Varga’s body to “ test the muscular development,” guessed 1911 b, then , paid double, as Vargas’s weight was 2151 b. He hurried out, but some time later the cafe proprietor reached for his pocket book and found it gone. There was £7O in that wallet.