THE LATE MR. TISCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 44, 14 August 1911, Page 4

THE LATE MR. TISCH.

THE LAST TRIBUTE. A VERY LARGE FUNERAL. The funeral of the lute Mr. (.iustave Tisch, Mayor of New Plymouth, took place on Saturday afternoon, and the large cortege itself and the great sympathising crowds which lined the route, the closing of all shops, ullices and places of business for a space, all these comprised a remarkable tribute to the memory of the man whose passing had left a gap that New Plymouth has no one adequately to fill. The funeral procession was a large and representative one. There were no less than -t!) vehicles following the hear.M\ and the open vehicle which was heaped with glorious floral tributes from friends, public bodies and the various associations in which the late Mr. Tisch had lieen so warmly interested, and the hearse itself bore several beautiful wreaths. Following the vehicles came a concourse of men representing the various forms of sport and the public life of the district. As the cortege slowly wended its way along Devon street thousands of her citizens stood bareheaded, mourning the loss of New Plymouth's great friend, and a group of Maoris rent the air with their piercing lamentations. The principal mourners were as follow: In the first carriage, Mrs. Tisch. Mrs, Webb (daughter) and Mr. Webb; the second carriage, Messrs. W. Tisch and -J. Tisch. <brothers), Bert Tisch (nephew), F. Williams (nephew), and Mrs. Cate (niece); the third carriage, Messrs. T. J. Reakes (nephew). Morton and the Rev. J. Wilkinson. Then followed the deputy-Mayor and borough councillors of New Plymouth, members of both Houses of the Legislature, the Mayors of Eltham and Stratford, members' of the New Ply f mouth Harbor Board, Taranaki Education Board, employees of the Borough Council, and the great representative body of the citizens and inhabitants of North Taranaki. There was no pomp. At the expressed wish of the widow the people attended as ordinary civilians the funeral of the man who. whilst a leader and benefactor of the people, was ever of the people. The members of the New Plymouth municipal staff acted as bearers, and bore the casket from the hearse to the grave, where the impressive burial ceremony was read by ' the Revs. John Wilkinson and J. A. Kempthorne. When the last words were spoken, the people drew awav in mournful knots, discussing the virtues of him whom they had seen laid to rest. Over seventy wreaths were received from friends and public bodies, these latter being as follow: New Plymouth Borough Council, Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, New Plymouth Horticultural Society/New Plymouth Municipal Progressive Association, New Plymouth Club, Taranaki Garrison Band, £ew ?!--:>!: Beautifying Association, lark Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Tukapa Football Club, Northern Union Football League, Lands and Survey Department, Matron and nursing staff of the New Plymouth Hospital, Taranaki Agricultural Society, Fitzroy friends of Greater New Plymouth. Eltham Borough Council. Fitzroy Town Board, St. Aubyn Town Board, teachers, committee and pupils of the Central School, teachers, etc., and pupils fe-f the West End School, Taranaki Teachers' Institute, New Plymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade, stewards of the Taranaki Club. East End Bathing Committee, the '-Camp Bovs," the Taranaki Herald, the Taranaki' Daily News

REFERENCES AT ST. MARY'S. j At St. Mary's Church yesterday morning the Rev. Mr. Wilkinson, acting-vicar, made feeling reference to the death of the late Mayor. He said:— 'T.want to make briqf mention to an event of last week which brought sorrow to many hearts—the death of His Worship the Mayor,' Mr. 0. Tisch. Some weeks ago we heard with great regret of his severe illness, hut few thought it was of so serious a nature, and the news of his death on Thursday was a shock to all. Many of you iiad the privilege of knowing Mr. Tisch longer and more intimately than J. yet during the short time I knew him 1 came to regard him as one of the finest men 1 have ever met. I will not speak of his public life, except to say, in passing, that in public life he showed the same greatness and goodness as he did privately. In that respect he was an example to all for uprightness, courage and devotion to duty. I want to touch very briefly on a side of his character less known.' Tt. was my privilege to visit him during his illness, and what struck me was his wonderful courage, his patience and great peace of mind. He seemed always bright and cheerful. What was the secret of it all? Let mo tell yqu in his own words: "I am prepared. I am praying and trusting in my heavenly Father.' He was a humble minded Christian, a man of living, active faith. That was the .secret of his noble life. The town of New Plvmouth and the Church of St. Mary's have by his death suffered a great loss. Our loss is a common one; it is more, it is a personal loss, for we mourn for a true and valued friend. Human sympathy is a weak thing at a time like this,'but it is the best we can offer, and we offer our best sympathy to his sorrowing wife and family, and pray that the Cod of all strength and comfort will sustain and comfort them by His Holy Spirit." At the conclusion of the service the ''Dead March, in Saul," was nobly played by the, organist Mr. Rcnaml, the audience reverently standing. At the evening service Mr. Wilkinson again referred to the. death of Mr. Tisch. He said that it was an event which had cast a dark shadow over this town and neighborhood. "Mr. Tisch," lie said, "lived a great part of his life in Xew Plymouth. By the work he did and by the life he lived he gained the respect and esteem of men of all creeds and parties. He was a man of great strength of character, and sincerity of purpose—a strong man, and yet a man of the humblest and sweetest disposition, a humble man because he was a Christian. He lived his religion rather than professed it. By his honesty and kindliness he won the affection of many hearts. Xew Plymouth mourns the loss "i a great man, who' for many years served her faithfully and well. In public lite his chief and only purpose seemed to be to do everything within his power for the advancement of the town and the betterment of the people. He lost no opportunity to gain that end. He gave ungrudgingly his time, his money. Ins service—he gave all, for he gave himself. Pew people effect their purposes so well as he has done. He did so not merely by his acts, though he was a man of action and a. practical man. He did so by his strength and uprightness of character, by the pure and wholesome influence which he always exercised in public and in private. " He has passed away, but his good work remains and will last, and the memory of his deeds of kindness will long be" enshrined in the hearts of many. He is gone, bui we are the richer for his life and his service, for his grand example and his good influence. He is gone, but the memory of that example and his influence remain, and will long be a force for righteousness and good in this place.. My last word is one of sympathy to his

sorrowing wife and family in their great bereavement. May God strengthen them and fill them with His heavenly consolation." ~, ,

Mrs. Tisch received further letters and telegrams of sympathy in her bereavement, including those from: Sir*J. Carroll, Acting-Premier: I am deeply grieved to learn that my old friend, .>your esteemed husbbnd," has passed away, and extend' 'to* you my heartfelt sympathy in your great loss. In addition to his many fine personal qualities, for which he was held in high regard, Mr. Tisch was an able and valued first citizen whom New Plymouth can ill afford to lose, and bis removal from our midst will occasion widespread regret. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture: I am greatly shocked at the sad news of the death of your most respected husband. I had hoped that the operation would have resulted in his complete recovery to health. It has otherwise been ordained, and your loss is irreparable. The Dominion, too, hasbeen deprived of a good and faithful public man. I recollect with the greatest pleasure the most enjoyable time I had whilst in New Plymouth, largely due to his kindness. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great bereavement.

The Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works: Mrs. McKenzie and myself have learned with sincere sorrow of the doath of your husband, and beg to offer our condolences and deep sympathy to you in your irreparable loss. The Hon. D. Biuldo, Minister of Internal Affairs: Deeply regret to hear of the death of your dear husband. Hiß useful public eareorjhas been helpful to the district in which he has resided, and as an old friend of Mr. Tisch I join with others in tendering to you my sincere sympathy in your sad bereavement. Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition: Have just heard of your sad bereavement. Please accept *my sincere sympathy. Mr. H. Okey, M.P.: Have just hearo* of your sad loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great bereavement.

Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P.: I cannot express how deeply grieved I was to hear of the death of your husband. A useful life has terminated, to the regret of all who knew his worth. May the Divine Comforter strengthen and solace you in the hour of grief.

Mr. G. Witty, M.P.: Deeply sympathise with you in your sad bereavement, Your los» is also the loss of the community.

The following members of Parliament also wired expressing their deep sympathy:—Messrs. Frank Lawry, Francis Mander, D. H. Guthrie, F. W. Lang, S. Mac Donald, E. H. Taylor, .1. Ballard, Glover, Dillon, Ross and W. H. Field.

The town clerk of Stratford, Mr. P„ Skogluild, has telegraphed: Hie Worship tile Mayor luts instructed me to convey to your Council this Council's deep regret and sincere sympathy for the great loss sustained by your town through the death of Mr. Tisch.' Kindly convey the same message to Mrs. Tisch. Mr. J. Vigor Brown, Mayor of Napier: Very sorry to hear of your dear husband's death. Please accept my sincere sympathy. Mr.'J. Newth, Mayor of Waihi: Accept deepest sympathy. The (Mayor of Inglewood telegraphs: Myself and Council convey sympathy to you in the death of your husband.

The Borough Council of Eltham conveys its deepest regret and sympathy. At a meeting of the Wellington City Council on Thursday night a Motion of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr. Tisch was passed, on the motion of Councillor L. McKenzie.

At the meeting of the Horticultural Society the following resolution, proposed by Mr. .1. Paton and seconded by Mr. 11. F. Russell, was passed, all members standing: "That this oopimittee place on record 'their deep regret at the great loss to New Plymouth by the death of His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch), and that this committee convey to Mrs. Tisch their deepest sympathy in her great loss." Other members testified to the great help Tisch had been to various local bodies, and especially to the Horticultural Society. He had always been a liberal and hardworking steward.