BURIAL OF BISHOP GRIMES

Southland Times, Issue 17470, 26 March 1915, Page 2

BURIAL OF BISHOP GRIMES

(Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. March 34. Tlie Very liev. Chancellor Price, who accompanied the late Bishop Grimes to Sydney, says that His Lordship stood the passage from New Zealand to Sydney very well, and on Ids arrival at tlie Lewisham Hospital was examined by a prominent surgeon (Dr Stuaart Mackay) and by a leading physician (Dr Voitcli). They found that His Lordship was suffering from dilated stomach and tation of tlie' heart. They were hopeful of being able to restore him to health, though they were of opinion that owing to the heart affection His Lordship would never be able to undertake any strenuous work, as the least excitement might result in a sudden collapse. With care they thought that His Lordship might live for many years. On tlie Friday' night before Ids deatli His Lordship had an attack of appendicitis, but the physician thought it might pass away in about 24 hours. Instead of doing so, it became more acute,, and on Saturday at midday it was decided that an operation was absolutely necessary. That same evening Dr Stewart .Mackay operated, and His Lordship stood tlie operation splendidly, leaving tlie operating table feeling well. When t}ie effect of tlie anaesthetic wore off His Lordship said he felt much more comfortable. Up to 4 p.m. on Sunday His Lordship was getting on as well as tlie doctors and nurses could expect, but then a slight attack of pneumonia supervened, and gave H)s Lordship no chance. He gradually sank, and expired about 1 o’clock on Monday morning. He was conscious up to two or three hours before His death. When Chancellor Price conveyed to His Lordship intimation that there was no hope. Bishop Grimes gave his blessing to his people, and asked for their prayers. Ilis Lordship spoke of the 27 years lie had laboured amongst tlie people of Christchurch, and expressed the wish that his remains should rest in the cathedral. CHRISTCHURCH, .March 2.7. The burial service took place this morning in tlie cathedral. Requiem Mass was sung by Bishop Cleary, assisted by Dean Hills. Tho building was crowded, amongst those present being representatives of the Governor and public bodies and institutions. Archbishop O'Shea pronounced tlie panegyric. He briefly expressed the thunks of the Catlialie clergy and laity for tlie kind messages of sympathy from all creeds and classes in tlie dominion, thanking the Government and tlie Governor in particular. After referring to the Bishop's career, the Archbishop said that tlie departed prelate had a great love for tlie dominion. for which lie always predicted a great future. The Church had sustained a great loss, but lie thought not without a great hope that tiiis grief had drawn many together, and would help to draw closer those of various creeds. •Tlie body was interred in tlie Chapel of Holy Souls. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward attended tlie funeral.