TOUCHING LAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 93, 11 July 1930, Page 4

TOUCHING LAMENT

LATE SIR JOSEPH WARD MAORIS' PATHETIC TRIBUTE WAILING BEFORE THE BIER WELLINGTON, July .10. In a manner typical of their race :i largo gatlx ring of Maoris paid their last tribute to Sir Joseph Ward this morning. Gathered around the bier in the cent")' or' the lobby at Parliament Iloust, ~f> only .Maoris can, with bowed ''cads fhey intoned a highly e".uotional lni'ii'iit to f.( dea . w Inch net;, lie freely translated as follows: " I'ass on our elder from the world of life, from the murmurs of the many and the envy of thousands Tile great fish has left its recess, Antares and in its place is a gaping void." Many of the native women expressed the sadness within their hearts by shedding tears as they sang. Having finished their mournful song, the party slowly filed out. The dirge was led by a native woman named Turuhira Hinewhakina- The Maoris present were representative of the Waikato, Taranaki, Wanganui,, Taupo. Kast Coast, Hawke's Bay, Otaki and South Island tribes. The Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, and the Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, stood silently by with heads reverently bowed as the touching scene was enacted.

UNITED POLITICAL PARTY MESSAGE TO THE FAMILY WELLINGTON, July 10. The Dominion executive of the United Political Parly has forwarded the following to Mr Vincent Ward: "The Dominion executive of the United Political Party tender to you and the members of your family the deepest condolence in the grievous blow you have all sustained in the death of your illustrious father, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward. They beg to convey to you their affection for your father as a man and :ieir respect for his high character, both as I a statesman and a business man. and ' their admiration for the vast range of 'great, service which he rendered to NewZealand and the British Empire. Today the Dominion mourns the loss of one of its greatest men, whose long devoted and faithful service and high public ideals will never be forgotten in the land he loved so well. With genial, kindly personality he ruled every department in the State, His great services to New Zealand are a household word and the admiration of the people. Widespread happiness has come to many as the result of his work in the public service, for justice, righteousness and fair play were his constant objectives, and generosity his most conspicuous quality. The public sorrow for his loss, but its deep gratitude for his invaluable services will, we hope, help to console the personal grief of yourself and other members of the family.—Yours very sincerely, Jas. W. Henderson (chairman), J. A. Shaud (general secretary)." I