THE FUNERAL OF SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19120, 12 July 1930, Page 9

THE FUNERAL OF SIR JOSEPH WARD.

PARLIAMENTARY PARTY LEAVES FOR THE SOUTH

The Prime Minister and six members of his Cabinet, the leader of the Opposition, the leader of the Labour Party, and twelve Members of Parliament, including a former Cabinet Minister, left for Invercargill by the first express today, in order to attend the funeral of Sir Joseph Ward at Bluff to-morrow. The only members of the Cabinet who will not be present at the funeral are the Hons Sir Apirana Ngata (Minister of Native Affairs), J. G. Cobbe (Minister of Defence) and J. B. Donald (Postmaster-General), who are unavoidably detained in the North Island. The personnel of the Parliamentary party which left by the express was as follows:—The Prime Minister (Hon G. W. Forbes), the Hons E. A. Ransom, H. Atmore, W. A. Veitch, A. J. Stallworthy, S. G. Smith and A. J. Murdoch, the leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon J. G. Coates), the leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland), the Hons G. Witty and M. Fagan (members cf the Legislative Council), Messrs E. F. Ilealy, T. Makitanara, K. S. Williams, G. C. Black, R. W. Hawke, D. M’Dougall, H. T. Armstrong, D. G. Sullivan, E. J. Howard and J. M’Combs (Members of Parliament). The party was accompanied by Messrs C. A. Jeffery (private secretary to the Prime Minister), T. R. Aicken (private secretary to the Minister of Railways), and W. I. Dearoll (private secretary to the Minister of Education ). The Hons Sir Thomas Sidey (leader of the Legislative Council). W. B. Taverner (Minister of Public Works), and P. A. de la Perrelle (Minister of Internal Affairs) will join the party at Invercargill. The Hon D. Buddo, M.L.C., and several other members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives are already at Invercargill. The Governor-General will be represented by Sir John Hanham.

HUGE CROWD ASSEMBLES AT SOUTHERN STATION. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, July 11. The train bearing the body of Sir Joseph Ward steamed into Invercargill Station to-night with muffled whistle blowing, and came to a standstill with the mortuary van opposite the passageway through which the cortege was to pass. With the cessation of the rumble of the train an eerie silence fell upon the station. The huge crowd in the precincts stood with bared heads. The coffin was placed on a gun carriage and the cortege moved off, led by a guard of honour with the Southland Caledonian Pipe Band, of which Sir Joseph had been patron for many years, immediately in front of the gun carriage, which was followed by the mourners. The procession moved off to a lament played by the band and passed through a silent lane of people which lined the entire route to the Basilica. There were several thousands in the crowd all of whom had gathered to pay homage to the distinguished statesman. The coffin was received into the church by the Roman Catholic bishop of Dunedin and a short service was held. The church was crowded.