THE LATE Dr. ROSS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17571, 15 May 1919, Page 5

THE LATE Dr. ROSS.

THE FUNERAL

li' "to live in the hearts of those we love is not to die," Dr. M. W. Boss, tlie news or whose passing came as a thunderclap. to the people of Petone and the Hutt Valley, is not dead. He lias gone from t£iose among wliom he laboured, out his memory will ever ho haUotved by them. He was a true physician, whose main object in life was to relieve the distress of others, whether of body, mind ,or estate. Yesterday his body was laid to rest in the Wanganui cemetery, and the tributes paid to his memory were touching in the extreme. The body was brought from Wellington by the mail train, .and eloquent testimony to tha respect in which the deceased was held by he people of Petone was the fact that a representative party of citizens accompanied the body. On arrival at the Wanganui station the c-a&ket was borne to a waiting hearse by brethren of Lodge Ulster No. 62,Peisone, and St. Andrew Rihvinning No. 79, Wanganui. Brethren of Wanganui lodgas lined the footpath, and then preceded tlie hearse to the cemetery, a targe number of townsmen .and settlers from up and down the coast bringing up the rear. Local Masonic Lodges were well represented. Among those present was the Deputy Grand-Master (W.Bro. J. H. Keesing). At the graveside the Rev. Mai'donald Aspiand, in the- absence of the Rev. J. D. McKenzie, or St. Paul's, impressively conducted the last sad rites. This was followed by the solemn but beautiful funeral service of the Masonic Order. Bro. A. G. Steffensen, W.M. of Lodge. Ulster, Petone, officiated. Standing at the head of the grave, he said: ''The brethren of the Masonic fraternity have foregathered this afternoon to pay their last tribute of respect to departed merit. Worshipful Bro. Dr. Ross was the medical adviser of approximately 80 per cent, of the population of Petone t>orough. Not only did he act in the capacity of medical adviser, hut he was their friend and counsellor. Towards the end of October and in November of last year he worked heroically during the epidemic, and it was owing to his almost superhuman efforts that the vile disease was stamped out in Petone'ana the Hutt Valley. His attention and unfailing courtesy under very, trying and abnormal conditions, were appreciated by the residents of the borough as a Tvbole, and expression was given to that I appreciation. As a citizen of Petone, Dt- Ross took an active interest in all that pertained to the welfare and wellbeing of the residents as a whole. He was associated with the Petone Bowling Club, the Commercial Club, the Cricket Club, the Football Club, Fire Brigade and Working Men's Club, arid was also the physician and surgeon to the Oddfellows, Druids, Foresters, and Hibernians. He was also instructor to the Ambulance Class. In regard to his association with our beloved fraternity, Dr. Ross jointed the institution in 1898, was elected I.W. in 1909, S.W. in 1910, and W.M. in 1911. He performed the duties appertaining to those offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to the lodge and cfaft in general. The principles taught in our institution he carried into practice in his daily association with the distressed, being always ready to relieve those who were in poor circumstances. In this respect our departed brother was one of 'God's best creatures, and it will be yery hard indeed to fill his place in Ihe community. Knowing these facts, it is no wonder that the residents of the borough of Petone as a whole mourn ills loss. As members of the fraternity we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved mother and other relatives. v Then followed the Masonft; ritual, ending with the ancient .tribute of farewell.

1 The following members of Lodge Ulster attended: W. Bro. A. G. Steffensen, W.M., W. Bro. G. D. McEwen, P.M., W. Bro. F. L. Matthews, P.M., chaplain;, Bros. R. Firth, H. Allan and G. A. Deare. Petone Borough Council and Loyal • Petone Lodge No. 6542, M.U., 1.0.0. F. was represented by Cr. C. P. Brockelbank, Petone Bowling Club by Mr. R. Kirk and Petone Commercial Club by Mr. B. Jones. "Lance-Cor-I poral P. J. Fitzgerald represented the Petone Cricket and Football Clubs. A large number of floral tributes were sent by the various organisations with which the deceased was associated.