VOLUNTEER FUNERAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 944, 1 October 1868, Page 2 (Supplement)

VOLUNTEER FUNERAL.

♦ The funeral of the first Volunteer in Westland buried with military honors, took place on the 16th ult.. when the mortal remains of the late Mr Archibald Bonar, iun. were deposited in their last resting place in the Hokitika Cemetery. "The deceased gentleman was the son of ivir A. Bonar, late of the Well known firm ofßroadforl, Bonar and Co., Melbourne, and now Manager of the Hokitika Savings Bank, — and was brother to the Hon. J. A. Bonar, member ot the Legislative Council of JNew Zealand, and. Chairman of the County Council of Westland. Mr Bonar, jun. for some years had been an active promoter of the Volunteer movement in Victoria and Southland, holding in the latter place the rank of Lieutenant in the Invercargill Rifles, and at the time of his death he was Color-Sergeant in the second Company of Westland Rifles. Of a social disposition, and possessed of singular kindheartedness, the late Mr Bonar endeared himself to a numerous circle of friends by whom his loss will [be keenly felt. There are circumstances respecting Mr Bonar's death which rendered it peculiarly painful. Cut down in comparative youth, for he was only thirty year 3of age at the time of his decease, he leaves a youthful widow, a lady to whom he had been united barely six weeks, and a father advanced in years, to mourn his loss, and it is certain that the warmest sympathy will be felt for the latter who has lived to follow his first-born to the grave, and the young wife, now a widow, in their irreparable loss. It may however afford some consolation to those immediately connected with the deceased, to mark the demonstrations of respect which have been shewn to his memory, not only by those who knew him, .but by the general public. His comrades in arms of course gave all the honor in their power to bestow — a military funeral — but, there was a much deeper token of respect paid by his fellow citizens. Whilst his remains were beiug conveyed to the place of interment, business in Hokitika was entirely suspended, the government offices, the banks, the merchants' offices, the shops — in short, every place ofbusiness was closed, and all clas-cs vie-1 with each other in testifying t'.ieir respect for the deceased, and their sympathy for his relatives. The weather wis singularly beiutiful; and as -a natural consequence a large concourse of people not only joined in the procession but assembled to witness the ceremony. Amongt those who followed the deceased were tlu Venerable Archdeacon Haiper, His Worship the Mayor of Hokitika (Evan Prosser, Esq.,) Avith the members and officers of the Borough Council, His Honor Ei Clarke, Esq., Judge of the District Court, with several memberd of the bar, the Resident Magistrates of Hokitika and Ro«s, members of the medical profession, and a long train of citizens, in all numbering upwards of six hundred persons. Arid so with military parade and pomp — with solemn music — they bore all that remained of the deceased to the cemetery, arid there with prayer from the lips of one of God's ministers, they laid him down to rest. Since Mr Bonar's death, which occpred on Saturday, 12th ult, until after the interment, the flags of the shipping in port, and at most of the business places in the town, were hoisted half-mast high. Nor was this the only sign of public mourning. The funeral procession Avas appointed to move from the deceased's residence on Gibson's Quay at half-past two o'clock ; all the banks, the Government and merchants' offices, together Avith the shops in the town, Avere closed. At half-past one o'clock JN"os. 1 and 2 Companies of Rifles, and the Westland Light Horse, paraded at the Municipal Reserve, .and marched thence to the residence of the deceased. Shortly before three o'clock the procession moved forward in the folloAving order : — Firing Party from No. 2 Company, with arms reversed, under the command of Ensign EreAv. Baud playing the.. Dead March in Saul. Pall fcrj Bearers Senior Sergeants 5 of the Three f3 Companies. i Surmounted by black plumes, and drawn by black horses. A mourning coach containing deceased's father and brother as chief mourners, and "the Rev. J. Gow, Presbyterian Minister. Non-Commisstoned Officers of the three Companies. PriA-ates No. 2 Company Westland Rifles. Privates No. 1 Company Westland Rifles. Privates Westland Light Horse. Officers No. 2 Company. Officers No. 1 Company. Officers "Westland Light Horse. Citizens Avalking four abreast. Horsemen riding two abreast. The funeral cortege proceeded along Gibson's Quay, turned up Wharf street to Revell street, and up Revell street to the Cemetery. The streets through Avhich the procession passed contained large numbers of spectators, and a large concourse Avas also present at the Cemetery. As the funeral procession AA'ound up the hill to the Cemetery the sight Avas most imposing ; the scarlet uniforms of the Volunteers formed a firie contrast Avith the more sombre coloured garments of the citizens and the dense black masses of spectators — theAvhole presenting a spectacle Avhich Avill not soon be forgotten by those Avho vieAved if. 'The solemn strains of music added greatly to the general effect, and avo may venture to affirm that the first Volunteer -funeral in Westland Avill lon<? be remembered. On arriving at the gates the firing party opened their ranks and formed on cither side, the coffin Avas taken from the hearse, coA'ored Avith a pall of black velvet, on Avhich the cap and arms of the deceased Avere placed, and the procession then moved on to the graye — where the funeral service Avas most impressively performed by the llev. John Gow. At its conclusion, three volleys Avere fired over the grave ; the Volunteers then re-formpd, and headed by the band marched back to the Municipal Reeen r e Avhere they Avere dismissed.

The funeral arrangements were under the superintendence of Messrs Spicer and Murray, undertakers, North Revell-street, and the drill instructor, Sergeant Carey, marshalled tho Volunteers,