WEST COASTERS IN MOURNING FOR LATE MR. O’BRIEN

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 October 1947, Page 4

WEST COASTERS IN MOURNING FOR LATE MR. O’BRIEN

(P.A.) Greymoulh, Oct. 1. Unprecedented scenes ot Public grief were witnessed on the West Coast today when the remains of the late Hon. J. O'Brien arrived lor interment tomorrow morning. At Lyttelton the coltin was removed from the Rangatira in the presence ol the ollicial party of 64 and a largo tody ol workers before transference to the special express, which reached Greymouth nearly an hour late this afternoon. On the Christchurch railway station, where a brief stop was made, a large number of friends of the former Minister gathered with Labour Party representatives to pay tribute, and after Otira was reached stops were made at the numerous West Coast railway stations, where crowds, varying from a handful in the smauer places to upwards of 600 at Wallsend, Hied past the funeral coach and conveyed personal sympathy to Mrs. O'Brien. One of the largest crowds which has gathered at Greymouth, railway station for a quarter of a century st.-'bd in deep silence as the train drew in. A party of Arahura Maoris greeted its arrival with a lament led by Mr. Tirikatene, while Mr. Fraser and the Ministers stood by prior to the removal of the casket to the hearse. The bearers were the Mayor of Greymouth, Mr. Kitchingham, and members of the Greymoulh Borough Council, of which Mr. O'Brien was a former member.

The official party did not proceed to St. Patrick's Church, to which the remains were conveyed privately with cars carrying the bearers. The body was received at the church by Monsignor Long and clergy and will lie in state all night, with a vigil kept by the Greymouth Labour Party, of which Mr. O'Brien was a foundation member.

Greymouth is crowded with visitors tonight and hotel accommodation is so taxed that a large number of official visitors are remaining in the sleeping cars of the special pain at the railway station. Tomorrow's final ceremonies will be broadcast from 3YA. 2YA, and 3ZR. commencing at 10 a.m. More than 75 official cars will convey Cabinet Ministers, legislators, members of political parties and leading Industrialists, and it is expected the procession will be the largest in Greymouth's history. Solemn High Mass will be sung by Monsignor Long, the preacher being Monsignor J, A. Kennedy, Christchurch. Immediately after the service at the graveside Ministers and visitors will leave by special train for Lyttelton.