TOUCHING LAMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 314, 11 July 1930, Page 7

TOUCHING LAMENT

LATE SIR JOSEPH WARD MAORIS’ PATHETIC TRIBUTE WAILING BEFORE THE BIER [ Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, July 10. In a manner typical of their race a large gathering of Maoris paid their last tribute to Sir Joseph Ward this morning. Gathered around the bier in the center of the lobby at Parliament House, as only Maoris can, with bowed Leads they intoned a highly e;notional lament to the dea;. which may be freely translated as follows: “Pass on our elder from the world of life, from the murmurs of the many and the envy of thousands. The great fish has left its recess, Antares and in its place is a gaping void.” Many of the native women expressed the sadness within their hearts by shedding tears as they sang. Having finished their mournful song, the party slowly filed out. The dirge was led by a native woman named Turuhira Hincwhakina- The Maoris present were representative of the Waikato, Taranaki, Wanganui,, Taupo, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, Otaki and South Island tribes.

The Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, and the Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, stood silently by with heads reverently bowed as the touching scene was enacted. BODY LYING IN STATE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 10. The casket containing the body of Sir Joseph Ward was transferred this morning from the Basilica to Parliament House, where it will lie in state till the funeral to the ferry steamer this afternoon. Four members of the Permanent Force under Captain Andrew, M.C., and Lieut. Pa-™, guard the coffin as the general public file silently past the catafalque. It was originally intended that the funeral from Inweargill Basilica on Sunday should proceed by road to the Bluff, but owing to the bad condition of that highway the Railway Department has been requested to provide facilities for the transit of those wishing to attend the last rites at the graveside. The chief mourners leave for Invercargill with the body to-night, but the Parliamentarians leave to-morrow night. A MAORI GATHERING EMOTIONAL LAMENT [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, July 10. In the manner typical of the race, a largo gathering of Maoris assembled round. Sir Joseph Ward’s bier in Parliament House, and with bowed heads intoned an emotional lament. It was a representative assemblage of the tribes throughout New Zealand. The leader of the dirge was a woman, Turuhira Hinewhakina.

SUCCESSOR TO BARONETCY SIR CYRIL WARD, BUSINESS MAN The successor ’ c the baronetcy of Sir Joseph Ward is his eldest son, Cyril. The new baronet is a well-known and popular Christchurch business man. He was born about 44 years ago at the Bluff and was educated at St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, and St. Ignatius College, Sydney. After service with the now defunct New Zealand Times, Wellington, he joined his father’s firm, the J. G. Ward Company, Invercargill 1 , and remained with it until about 1914, when the shipping, customs and insurance firm of Kinsey, Barns and Company, Christchurch, was formed into a limited liability company. His father, in order to relieve himself of the details of the business, appointed Mr Cyril Ward manager of Kinsey and Company, Limited. Mr Ward left Invercargill and took up his residence in Christchurch, continuing in the position of manager to the present time. He married, Miss Davidson, of Brisbane, the daughter of a well-known Queensland run-holder. They have six children, five boys and one daughter named Theresa, after the late Lady Ward. Two of their sons, Joseph and James, who are graduates from Canterbury College, are in legal offices in Christchurch and other parts of the Doyoung, the youngest being twins. Both the new baronet and his wife are popular in society and are held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends in Christchurch and other part of the Dominion. He is a keen golfer and spends most of his spare time at the game. He has won many trophies both on the Shirley links and elsewhere. He is a member of the committee of the Christchurch Golf Club. He is also a member of the committee of the Canterbury Club.

UNITED POLITICAL PARTY MESSAGE TO THE FAMILY [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 10. The Dominion executive of the United Political Party has forwarded the following to Mr Vincent Ward: “The Dominion executive of the United Political Party tender to you and the members of your family the deepest condolence in the grievous blow you have all sustained in the death of your illustrious father, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward. They beg to convey to you their affection for your father as a man and icir respect for his high character, both as a statesman and a business man, and their admiration for the vast range of great service which he rendered to New Zealand and the British Empire. Today the Dominion mourns the loss of one of its greatest men, whose long devoted and faithful service and high public ideals will never be forgotten in the land he loved so well. With genial, kindly personality he ruled every department in the State. His great services to New Zealand are a household word and the admiration of the people. Widespread happiness has come to many as the result of his work in the public service, for justice,

righteousness and fair play were his constant objectives, and generosity his most conspicuous quality. The public sorrow for his loss, but its deep gratitude for his invaluable services will, we hope, help to console the personal grief of yourself and other members of the family.—Yours very sincerely, Jas. W. Henderson (chairman), J. A. I Shand (general secretary).”