KAWARAU GORGE TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 5

KAWARAU GORGE TRAGEDY

FUNERALS OF VICTIMS ACCORDED MILITARY HONOURS Military honours were accorded the victims of the bus accident in the Kawarau Gorge, Lance-corporal K. A. S. Robb and Private A. J. Kinaston, at their funerals, which took place at Roxburgh on Monday afternoon. That of Private Kinaston started from the Presbyterian Church. At the Anglican Church it was joined by that of Lance-corporal Robb, arid the two hearses preceded what was probably the longest funeral procession ever witnessed in the district. At various goints en route to the cemetery memers of the Municipal Band, in uniform, were stationed.

The service at the graveside of Lance-corporal Robb was conducted by the Rev. J. A. G. Simpson (Anglican), and at that of Private Kinaston by the Rev. D. Heggie (Presbyterian). At their conclusion a firing party fired a salute of three rounds and the Last Post was sounded by Bandmaster W. Haughton. Both caskets were draped with Union Jacks, and the pall-bearers were members of the local platoon. The floral tributes were numerous.

The whole of the funeral arrangements were in the hands of Lieutenant A. R. Alexander. The chief guard of honour was provided by the local platoon under his command. The firing party was provided by the Otago Regiment, in bivouac at Clyde, and was under the command of Warrant Officer Fitzgerald. Detachments were also present from the Otago Mounted Rifles, in bivouac at Gore, under the command of Lieutenant McKinley, and from the Southland Motor Cyclists' Platoon at Invercargill. under the command of Lieutenant Neill. The Southern Command was represented by Captain Greville, N.Z.S.C., and the Southland Area bv Lieutenant Cockerill. D. 5.0.. N.Z.S.C. ' Major Leckie. the recently-appointed commanding officer of the Southland Company, who commanded the New Zealand troops at the Coronation, was also present The fatal accident, in which altogether 12 Roxburgh young men were involved, cast a gloom over the whole district. To the parents of the two Who were killed much svmpathy has been expressed. Both Mr and Mrs Kinaston belong to two of the oldest families of the district. The deceased son was a popular young man. Of an unassuming disposition, he made many friends. He was a member of the Young Farmers' Club. and. though his interests were essentially in his father's farm, he found time to engage in healthful recreation, of which football and militarv training formed the greater part. Mrs Robb and the late Mr S. Robb took up residence in Roxburgh manv years ago, and upon the death of the latter three years ago Mrs Robb continued to conduct the business of Robb's Motors, assisted bv Vipr sons, of whom the deceased wa= the eldest. He was a pnnular voung man. He was a member of Court Roxburgh. A.0.F., the members of which paraded at the funeral.

INQUESTS AT CROMWELL ADJOURNED TO NOVEMBER 4 (Special ro Daily Times) CROMWELL, Oct. 26. The inquests on the victims of the Kawarau Gorge fatality, Kenneth Arthur Sydney Robb and Albert James Kinaston, were opened at Cromwell on Sunday, and after evidence of identification had been given wer~ adjourned to November 4 at Cromwell. CONDITION OF INJURED MEN It was reported last nieht from the Cromwell Hospital that the seven injured men were making satisfactory Drogress. Only one of the oarty, Private N. Harraway, was considered at first to be in a serious condition, and he also is making a good recovery.