HIKURANGI TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17230, 9 April 1930, Page 4

HIKURANGI TRAGEDY

FUNERAL OF VICTIMS AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE (Per Press Association.) WHANGAHEI, last night. Hikurangi was a sad township to-day. Flags flew at half-mast; shops were .shuttered, and there was a cessation of labor of every kind. It was the funeral day of the 'five victims of the level crossing tragedy which occurred on Saturday evening. The funeral was an impressive spectacle. Tho five coffins were borne on two white palled lorries and covered with floral offerings. The cortege was over a mile long, and consisted of more than 100 cars and 15 buses and lorries. A large number of people were unable to obtain conveyances. The interments took place ill the Kauri cemetery, a picturesque and historic burying ground, where sleep many pioneers "of this district. There were few dry eyes when tho coffins were lowered' into the fivo separate graves side bv side. The last rites were performed* by the Rev. Mr. Drake, Anglican vicar of Hikurangi. and the Rev. T. S. Bryton, Presbyterian pastor at Hikurangi. They stood together and shared in a service the solemnity of which greatly impressed the largest gathering that has been at any funeral in the north. The graves were embowered with flowers, tokens of love and respect, placed thews by the people of Hikurangi and the surrounding district.