FOOTBALLER'S DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19130, 26 September 1936, Page 4

FOOTBALLER'S DEATH

FUNERAL IN ROTORUA MOURNERS FROM GISBORNE Several Poverty Bay 'Maoris left Gisborne last evening for Rotorua for the funeral of Mr. Rernie Rogers, the Maori All Black footballer whose death occurred in Palmerston North on Thursday. There will be many Gisborne and Bast Coast natives in Rotorua for the funeral at 2 p.m. to-morrow, as well as representatives of other districts throughout the North Island. The party which left Gisborne last evening comprised the Rev. K. Hadfield, and-Messrs. R. Whaitiri, J. Taylor and C. Pohatu, the three last-mentioned representing the Y.M.P. Football Club, of which Mr. Rogers was a leading member. This morning Messrs. W. T. Pitt and P. Awatore left for the thermal centre, and during the day other departures were to take place. An East Coast delegation headed by Mr. A. Reedy, a well-known member of the East Coast representative team and a former associate of Bernie Rogers on the tour of Australia undertaken by the Maori All Blacks last year, is to take part in the ceremonies. Mr. E. T. Brosnahan, Gisborne, will represent the executive of the Poverty Bay Rugby Union.

A number of wreaths have been forwarded from Gisborne, including those of the Y.M:P. club, the Waingake Football Club, the Poverty Bay Rugby Union, and the East Coast union. The Native Department's staff in Gisborne has arranged for a wreath to be laid upon the casket. The funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. Mr. Puha, Rotorua, assisted by the Rev. K. Hadfield, Gisborne.