NUHAKA NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19024, 26 May 1936, Page 16

NUHAKA NEWS

CHURCH LEADER’S PASSING (Herald Correspondent.) Tho mortal remains of the late Air. Wi Smith, district president of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, were laid to rest in the Tahanui cemetery on Sunday. A church service was held in the Mormon chapel, but many of tile large assembly gathered were unable to get into the church. The service was conducted by Air. Oro Tengaio, assisted by Messrs. E. Pomare, first councillor, Te Kani, S. Christie and H. Marsh. The choir, conducted by Airs. T. Nepia, sang iwo beautiful anthems, “Jesus, i my Cross I Take” and “What Shall the Harvest Be.” Mrs. T. Wnerca presided at the organ. Air. H. .Marsh, who was followed by Mr. S. Christie, spoke of tho sterling qualities of the deceased. The mission had sustained a great loss in the passing of the president, whose love and work for the church would never he forgotten. Mr. S. Christie expressed his overwhelming sorrow in the death of their leader, whose advice and co-operation always stood them in good stead. A hymn was sung by the large assembly, after which Mr. 11. Alarsh pronounced the benediction.

The service at (he graveside was conducted by Air. E. Pomare, the pallbearers being ATessrs. P. Smith, D. Smith, J. Smith, H. Rarer©, P. Gemmell, S. Hai’onga, W. Ropilini, and Dennis. At the graveside a party of natives from Hastings met the casket, which was covered by many beautiful floral tributes.

At an inquest held at the Nuhnka police, station on Sunday morning, Air. V. Winter, district coroner, presided. Constable S. Thear conducted the proceedings. Evidence was given by Mr. I). Smith, eldest son of the late Air. Wi Smith, and Aliss L. Grant, district nurse. The verdict was death from natural causes.