IMPRESSIVE TRIBUTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 672, 25 May 1929, Page 5

IMPRESSIVE TRIBUTE

FUNERAL OF MR. JAS. TROUNSON “A WORTHY CHRISTIAN” No more striking tribute to the memory of the late Mr. James Trounson could have been given than the representative assemblage at bis funeral yesterday* The cortege included a large gathering of relatives and friends, associates of business and public life, old settlers and adherents of the Methodist Church, including practically every minister from city and suburban churches. The grand-children of Mr. Trounson, who w'ere pall-bearers, were: Dr. John Caughey, Mr. Harcourt Caughey, Mr. Stewart Caughey, Mr. Reginald Smith and Mr. Trounson, junr. The principal mourners were two sons, Mr Vivian Trounson, chairman of the Hobson County Council, and Mr James Trounson, of Paparoa. Others present were the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Sir Edwin Mitehelson, the Hon. lv. S Williams. Mr. Rodney Coates, chair man of the Otamatea County Council. Mr. A. E. Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote, the Hon. C. J. Carrington, M.L.C., Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mt. Eden. Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. H. K. Howitt, representing the North Shore Borcughs on the Hospital Board, Mr. H. A. Sommerville, secretary. Mr. J. Alexander, and Mr. J. Marsden Caughey. “A worthy Christian, rich in good works and the honour that accompanied them,” was how Dr. C. H. Laws described Mr. Trounson as an impressive service at the Pitt Street Methodist Church. “He lived a gracious, selfless life, modelled on a few simple, but basically religious, principles; he made little of hardship and personal toil, and extended the helpful hand of friendship to all he foupd in distress —a man who, from youth to age, walked humbly with his God.” He had been lifted out of the rut worldliness by early acceptance of the Christian principles, and thus was tilled with solicitude for others less fortunate than himself. The speaker referred in terms of gratitude to Mr. Trounson's gift of £II,OOO to the Methodist Church early this year for the relief of widows and children of deceased ministers or laymen, who by reason of sickness were in needy circumstances. The services in the church and at ihe graveside were led by the Rev. Geo. Bona, a great friend of Mr. Trounson. He was assisted by the Rev. J. F. Goldie, president of the Methodist Conference, Dr. C. H. Laws, and the I Rev. W. A. Sinclair.