LATE MR COATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 2

LATE MR COATES

AUCKLAND’S TRIBUTE BURIAL AT MATAKOHE TO-DAY (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 31. Auckland citizens paid their last respects to Mr Coates to-day, when great numbers filed past the casket as the body lay in state in St. Mary’s Cathedral. The casket was received at the railway station early this morning by a military party and placed on a gun carriage, and taken to the cathedral, where it was received by Dean Fancourt. Military bearers carried the casket into the cathedral, where it was placed on a bier before the altar and a military guard was mounted. At 9.30 a large party of Maoris arrived carrying the traditional taua of green twigs. Eulogies of Mr Coates, who was a staunch friend of the Maoris, were recited in the Maori language, and a prolonged Maori ceremonial of mourning was conducted inside the cathedral. An address in Maori was delivered, to which the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, replied in English. The lying-in-state continued until the memorial service for citizens commenced at 3 o’clock this afternoon. At this service an address was given by Archdeacon Cowie. Thousands of people lined the whole of the long route from St. Mary’s Cathedral to the railway station. From Parnell road to Khyber Pass road the cortege passed through almost continuous lines on both sides, with larger groups at every intersection. The same scene was repeated in Symonds street arid in Karangahape road. Down Queen street from ■ the top to the foot the line of people on either footpath was unbroken. Many of those who watched came from shops and offices, which had closed at the Mayor’s request as a mark of respect to Mr Coates. Tram and motor traffic had been diverted to other routes, and the procession moved slowly down the middle of the otherwise deserted roadway. Fob a better view,-many climbed to the verandas and the roofs of shops. Nowhere was the scene more impressive than in the closing tributes at the railway station. The gun carriage and official cars drew up in the loon of the roadway fronting the lawns, while the remainder of the procession passed by in a last salute. Flanked by the Ministerial pall-bearers and followed by the service pall-bearers, the Governor - General’s representative, relatives, and representatives of the armed forces, the casket was then taken at a slow march up the rampart into the station, from where it will be taken for burial at Matakohe tomorrow.