THE FUNERAL.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8616, 22 March 1897, Page 4

THE FUNERAL.

The deceased chief was buried with full military honors yesterday afle> noon. Soon after 2 o'clock the coffin was conveyed from the JRununga house to the gun carriage, the Navals being drawn up a line and " presenting arras" till the bearers placed their burden on the vehicle, the coffin twing wrapped in the Union Jack and having on its top the deceased's cap and sword. The volunteers then took up the position in the van of the procession with the Band next in ordei, and as " march." was given arms were reversed and the cortege slowly wended its way to lotara, the "Dead March in Saul" being first played, though en rouit several sacred airs were rendered. As the fuueral party hove in sight ot Totar* a band of native women were seen on the hill waving tpi-toi and chanting what we would call a dirge, a minute gun being likewise fired. When the gun carriage was drawnupopposite the track leading to the cemetery a number of sturdy Maoris cance forth, Bnd taking off the coffin carried' it to the grave near which the Navals were drawn up in open order to allow the party passing through the ranks, The Church of England service at the grave was conducted by two Maori clergymen, the responses being fervently uttered by the assembled natives, and the hymn " For ever with the Lord " in Maori was very nicely sung. At the conclusion of this part of the ceremony the volunteers were again called 011, and three volleys were fired, and at the same time the minute siguals were continued. The lowering of the cofliu in the grave was done amidst the lamentations ot thewoineu, and their cries were heard as the Europeans, of whom there wore a very large number assembled, wended their way to the road. And thus Wirope Hoterene Taipari was buried.