LATE MR. T. E. TAYLOR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 31 July 1911, Page 5

LATE MR. T. E. TAYLOR.

IMPRESSIVE i'l’.N ERAL CER LVOMKS. STRIKING TRIBUTES TO THE DEAD. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, July JO. In the presence of a great gathering of Christchurch citizens, the mortal remains- of the late Mayor, Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., were to-day laid to rest.

Around the marshalling area, along the lino of route, and outside and ,within the cemetery gates, the people massed, all anxious to have a part in paying the last tribute to the departed head of the citv.

The morning was overcast, and soft rain fell, and the general air of sadness was most pronounced. A Groat Cortege.

The cortege was perhaps the largest of its kind yet seen in Christchurch, hut the complete arrangements made enabled the different sections to be marshalled and placed in their proper positions, with every dignity and without confusion.

The head of the procession left at half-past two, and the Relwyn Street Cemetery was reached three-quarters of an hour later, when the service at the graveside was brought to a close.

SoPrnrb Civic, Faction, A most solemn civic function took place early this morning. The casket containing the body of the late Mayor was brought from the Cashmere Hills to the City Council building, and there placed on a black draped building in the big Council Chamber, opposite the Mayoral chair, and within the horseshoe area bounded by the table used at the Council meetings. The interior of the chamber was heavily draped in black, while all around on tables, covered with white cloths, were arranged the multitude of wreaths which since Saturday morning had poured into the office. At half-past ten the main gates to the building wore opened, and the big crowd assembled outside commenced to file onietly and steadily in. As they reached the top of the stain the people entered the chamber and filed round the body within the horseshoe area, viewed the casket and the wreaths, and left by the small door to the south end. The Rsvarerst Mourners,

The long stream of citizens continued wiuiom, interruption tnrougiiout tJio whole of the morning, and right up to 1 o’clock, wiicn the doors wore Closed. A change was inacio in the method of admission followed during the morning, to deal more effectively with the concourse of citizens, f ile main entrance gates were closed, and. the people were admitted by the door at the south end of the chamber, reached by a small staircase from the outside of the building, the exit being through a doer at tne rear of tno structure. By that means any chance of congestion inside the chamber was thus avoided, for previously it was found that the people could enter faster by the big door than they could leave by the small door, and there was the risk of the chamber living overcrowded.' Shortly after 1 o’clock the last person had left, and preparations were then put in hand for tii 9 funeral. Starting tha Procsrcicn. All the cards were taken from the wreaths and collected together by tiic assistant town clerk, to bo haiidcd later to Mrs. Taylor. The wreaths were then removed from the chamber and placed on a special hearse, this hearse following immediately behind the coffin. Such wreaths as could not bo placed on the special hearse were * arranged on the lamp brackets of the carriages behind. By 2 o’clock all the carriages in the official section o i\ the procession were in position. The choir and the Linwood Band were stationedon the east side of the terrace opposite the Council offices, and the units composing the head of tiro procession were in* their places. Outside the barricades the people crowded. At twenty minutes past two the band played tiie time of one of Mr. Taylor’s, favourite hymns, “The day thou g a vest Lord, is ended,” and the assembled choir, under the leadership of Mr. Simpson, leader of the St. Alban’s Methodist Church choir, sang the hymn through, accompanied by the hand. A few minutes later the casket, borne by members of the City Council, was brought down from the chamber through the main entrance and placed on the open hearse. ’1 ben the choir sang a second hymn, the late Mayor’s favourite, “0, Lord, who by Thy presence hast made Light,” and at the close of this hymn the long cortege moved off, the prevailing silence being only broken by the slow tolling of church bells. A Great Procession. The procession was about two miles long. In the carriage wore members of the family of the late Mr. Taylor, the Acting-Primo Minister and other Ministers, and members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives; also the full membership of the City Council and representatives of all the other bodies and various organisations. The Workers’ Tribute. A striking feature of the procession was the presence on foot of about two thousand men, belonging mostly to trades unions, all the local unions having representatives. flis Excellency the Governor was also represented at the funeral. All along the line of route the people crowded, and there was another big ero-.vd in the locaiitv of the cemetery, outside the gates, but the uttermost orderliness prevailed throughout. !aa whole of the marshalling and progress of the procession, the excellent arrangements made by the DeputyMayor, Mr. J. J. Dougall, Mr. 1G C. Bishop, and Police Inspector Killy contributing to that end. At the Graveside. At the graveside the scene was most solemn. Prominent amongthose present, in addition to the members ol Mr Taylor’s family and relatives, were Sir James Carroll, Acting-Premier, the Hon. G. Kowkls and Hon. i). Buddo. The service was conducted by the Rov.'L. M. Isitt, the Rev. C. H. Garland, the Rev. C. H. Laws, fad the Rov. S. Henderson. “Lead, Kindly Light,” one of Mr. Taylor’s favourite hymns, was sung, and the Rev. Mr. Laws offered up an appropriate prayer. Mr. Tsilt, in his funeral oration, referred to the outstanding features of tiie life of Mr. Taylor. Me said the lesson of Ids life was that they should struggle on for Christ-likedness in the world, in thought and spirit. Addressing Mr. Taylor’s comrades in arms, luTurged them to greater efforts, so that the hope of Mr. Taylor’s life should he consummated and the peo-ple-of New Zealand be freed for ever from the degrading influence of strong drink.

About lot) wreaths were sent, and these made a striking display in the Council Chamber, while -the body was Iving in state.