DISGRACEFUL SCENE AT A FUNERAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume xli, Issue 3225, 27 January 1885, Page 3

DISGRACEFUL SCENE AT A FUNERAL.

(By^Telegraph.) Auckland, Jan. 26. An extraordinary scene occurred yesterday at the funeral of Holmes, the scenic artist, who was burnt to death on Friday night. McEinlay, deceased's landlord, a Freethinker, had arranged with Dr. York, a Freethought lecturer, to conduct the funeral obsequies, whilst other friends had forwarded a similar request to the Eev. Mr Tebbs, Anglican minister. Tbe funeral was largely attended, and tbe Freethought section commenced to complain, seeing Mr Tebbs present. At the gate of tbe cemetery a parley took place, during vrlucb time the coffin was left m the hearse. McKanlay told Mr Tebbs his services were not required, but Mr Tebbs insisted on conducting the Bervice, and said that as there was no relative of the deceased present, and as there was no proof that he had abjured the faith of the Church of England, lie would do his duty. A number of churchmen then went to the hearse and removed the coffin. As the procession moved down the path to the open grave, the reverend gentleman commenced to read the passage, "I am the resurrection and the life," which was greeted by a portion of the freethought section by interjections of "Cut it short 1" "Bosh!" "We've had enough of that rot ! " " Shut up ! " etc. At the grave, just before the clergyman pronounced the words " Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," MeKinlay jumped on the side of the grave and cried out "We've had enough of that stuff," or words to that effect, but waa greeted with cries of " Shame " from the crowd. Mr Tebbs, however, proceeded with the service to the close, and as soon as be bad done, the sexton and his assistant commenced to shovel m the earth on the coffin. A call was made by the Freethought people for Mr Ellis to proceed with bia service, but that gentleman declined. At the conclusion of the proceedings persons of every denomination, including Catholics and Jews, shook hands with Mr Tebbs and thanked him for carrying out his duty m the manner m which he bad done under the trying circumstances^ The driver of the hearse, on returning to his home, accident' ally fell down the staircase and sustained a broken ancle. Holmes was not a member ol tbe Freethought Association, but had at tended several of their lectures. Deceasec was a son of Wm, Holmes, Court painter tc George IV.