DEAD STATESMAN

Southland Times, Issue 21264, 10 December 1930, Page 8

DEAD STATESMAN

CANADIAN TRIBUTEi THE LATE SIR JOSEPH WARD WREATH PLACED ON GRAVEA ceremony, touching in its simplicity and far-reaching in its meaning, was-per-formed at the Bluff Cemetery yesterday afternoon when the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle placed a wreath of Canadian maple leave's oh the grave of the late Sir Joseph Ward, on behalf of the Canadian Club, of Vancouver. Mr Perrelle was accompanied at the graveside by his Worship the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr J. D. Campbell), his Worship the Mayor of Bluff (Dr J. Torrance), Colonel W. Henderson, brother-in-law of the late Sir Joseph Ward, and the Town Clerk of Invercargill (Mr C. L. Grange). Several residents of Bluff were also present to view the ceremony. The wreath, along with a similar token for the tomb of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., was brought to New Zealand by Mr T. M. Henderson, of the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, and a member of the Canadian Club. Mr Henderson also brought a message from the club to the Prime Minister of New Zealand (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) asking for permission for the memory of the dead statesmen to be honoured by the club they had both visited. Before placing the wreath on the grave Mr Perrelle read the following message from the Canadian Club: “The late Sir Joseph Ward had on many occasions been the honoured guest of - the Canadian Club of Vancouver. The club greatly appreciated Sir Joseph’s visits, and desires to place a wreath of maple leaves (such leaves being the National Emblem of Canada) upon the grave of the deceased statesman, in memory of the happy associations with the club.”

The wreath was then placed on the grave and those present stood in reverent, silence for a short space.

Mr Perrelle remarked that Mr Henderson unfortunately could not be present, and expressed pleasure at the presence of the leading citizens of Invercargill and Bluff, and Colonel Henderson. He appreciated the fact that the Canadian Club had honoured two of New Zealand’s great statesmen, and the fact that they had sent the wreaths showed that the services of those statesmen were appreciated beyond New Zealand. Colonel Henderson said that the presentation of the wreath was a very touching thought, and he expressed the appreciation of Sir Joseph Ward’s family for the honour done to his memory by the citizens of Canada who had sent the wreath.

Dr Torrance also spoke briefly, and referred to the example the late Sir Joseph Ward had set the young people of New Zealand.