THE LATE MR J. A. TORRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 14

THE LATE MR J. A. TORRANCE.

A lajst tribute of mortal respect wa§ paid to the memory of the late Mr J. A. Torrance on the 12th inst., when hie remains were followed from his late residence in Royal terrace to their resting place in the Southern Cemetery. A man of sterling Christian character, the lato Mr Torrance combined with his religious conviotions a capacity for great practical usefulness, and throughout a lone life h© directed his energies towards ameliorating the conditions of the widow and fatherless, and assisted tp uplift the sinful and afflicted, as well as bringing comfort to the sorrowing and suffering. This Christian and philanthropic work was performed with a quiet and steady purpose, which did not pass unnoticed or unappreciated in the communltv, and the largo and representative gathering of oitizens which yesterday assembled to pay tribute to the memory of a good man bore substantial testimony to the esteem in which he was held. All shades of religious beliefs were present among those who formed a part of the funeral cortege, and public and private charitable institutions were also represented. The Gaol, Hospital, and Seacliff Mental Hospital, where the greater part of the late Mr Torrance's efforts were spent, were officially represented, and in the ranks of the mourners at the graveside as well as in the mournful procession there were not a few patients and ex-inmates of the institutions referred to who had come under the kjndly benevolence and Christian influence of a revered friend.

The funeral service at the house was short and impressive, and was conducted by the Rev. W. Hewitson in the presence of the chief mourners and private friends. Outside the house as the hour of 2 p.m. anproached there was a large gathering of oitizens, carriages, and other vehicles.

The services at the grave were conducted by Mr F. G. Gumming (the late Mr Tolerance's <sueoe=3<n), the Revs. W. Hewitson, and .T. Ohi=holm.

Wreaths were placed on the grave from the governor and staff of the Gaol, 111* Justice Williams, the committee of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society, Seacliff Mental Hp«pital staff, matron an<J nurses of Dunodin Hospital, Mrs Truby King and Miss Be-swiok (matron of the Seacliff Mental Hospital). Dr Falconer (on. behalf of the resident medical officers of the Hospital*, and numerous wreaths from personal friends and relatives. Mr Justice Williams (president of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society) had. intended to. be present at the funeral, but was unavoidably detained on account of hv3 dutiea in the Supreme Court. Mr H. Y\ 'Widdowgon, 5i. 11., wag (also unable to attend, being away at Moegiel.

Th« usher at the Supreme Court in Chrietohtirch has settled the controversy about tb» rnihealthines? of Bible-kissing by providiii^ a Bible covered srith Maskable celluloid;.