EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4200, 27 January 1885, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A

CEMETERY.

Auckland, this day,

An extraordinary scene occurred yesterday at the funeral of Holmes, the senic artist, burnt to death at the recent fire. The Freethinkers had arranged with Dr York, a Freethought lecturer, to conduct the funeral obsequies, while other friends had forwarded a similar request to the Rev. Mr Tebbs, an Anglican minister. On the arrival of the funeral procession at the path leading to the grave the rev. gentleman commenced to read the passage " I am. the Resurrection, &c," which was greeted by a portion of the Freethought section of the mourners by interjections such as "Cut it short," "Shut up," " Bosh," and " We've had enough of that rot. " Mr Tebba, however, proceeded with the service. At the conclusion of the proceedings persons of every denominations, including Catholics and Jews, shook hands with Mr Tebb<, and thanked him for carrying out his duty in the manner in which he had done. The deceased was not a member of the Freethought Association, but had attended several of their lectures. The deceased was a son of Holmes, Court painter to George HI. At an inquest on the* body of Holmes the verdict was "Accidental death." There was no evidence to show how the lire originated,