HIKURANGI MOURNS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18539, 9 April 1930, Page 7

HIKURANGI MOURNS.

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL AT KAURI. VICTIMS OF CROSSING SMASH. By Telegraph—Proa* Aaaoclafclon. WHANGAREI, April 8. Hikurangi was a sad township today. Flags flew at half-mast; shops were shuttered; and there was a cessation of labour of any kind. It was the funeral day of the five victims of the level crossing tragedy which occurred on Saturday evening. The funeral was an impressive spectacle. The five coffins were borne on two white-palled lorries, and covered with floral offerings. The cortege was over a mile long, and consisted of more than one hundred cars, and fifteen buses and lorries. A large number of people were unable to obtain conveyances. The interment took place in the Kauri cemetery, a picturesque and historic burying ground, where sleep many pioneers of this district. There were few dry eyes when the coffins were lowered into five separate graves, side by side. The last sad rites were performed by Rev. Mr Drake, Anglican Vicar of Hikurangi, and the Rev. T. S. Burton, Presbyterian pastor at Hikurangi. They stood together, and shared in a service, the solemnity of which greatly impressed the largest gathering that had been seen at any funeral in the North. The graves were embowered with flowers, tokens of love and respect placed there by the people of Hikurangi and surrounding districts.