Death of the Primate.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue I, 5 July 1902, Page 23

Death of the Primate.

Very few of the many friends of the Most Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, and Primate of New Zealand, had any idea when the fact was

announced a fortnight ago that His Lordship had decided to resign the high ofiice he has so long held, he was only doing so because his life was also ebbing to a close. Such has, however, proved to be the case, and the sad news that the Primate was dead came as a shock <jn Thursday to all but those intimate relatives and friends who knew how critical was the condition of His Lordship's health. The tolling of St. Mary's bell in the morning first gave forth the sad intimation that the kindly, courteous gentleman, whose venerable figure is so well known to the present generation of Aucklanders, had been called to his rest. Before long flags were at half mast all over the city, and also on the vessels in port, for the late Primate was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him, whether members of the Anglican Church or not. He was in no sense a narrow man, and wherever he stayed in his parochial visitations round the diocese, he made life long friends, who will sincerely mourn their loss. It was on account of his critical condition that he felt it his duty to resign office a fortnight ago, and for the past few days it was seen that the Primate was gradually growing weaker, consequently the members of his family were summoned. As already indicated, the death of His Lordship was not entirely unexpected, as he had been getting gradually weaker for the last five weeks, and Dr. Mackellar, who had been in constant attendance, had warned the relatives that the condition was critical. His Lordship remained conscious until within about fifteen minutes of

his death. He occasionally spoke to his sou on family matters before he became unconscious. After that he remained perfectly quiet, and finally drew three or four long breaths, and died. So sudden was the finish of Uis Lordship’s life that although a messenger was despatched at once for Dr. Mackellar, and that gentleman ran over the road in great haste, still upon his arrival he saw at once that death had already taken place, the cause being heart failure. Dr. Cowie was born in 1831, and consecrated to the Bishopric of Auckland in 1869, in succession to Bishop Selwyn. A biography of His Lordship appeared in our issue of Friday week, when his resignation was announced, and will not therefore require repeating. Very general sympathy is expressed with the bereaved family, and more particularly the widow, who has to bear this trial in addition to her own bodily weakness.

If evidence had been required of the great esteem in which the Most Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland and Primate of New Zealand, was held by those amongst whom he spent the greater portion of his life, it was amply demonstrated at hie funeral on Saturday afternoon. It may be stated without any exaggeration that many hundreds walked four abreast from St. Mary’s Cathedral to the picturesque Anglican Cemetery at St. Stephen’s, and several thousands lined the road along which the funeral procession passed. It was plainly manifest that all classes and creeds had attended for the purpose of paying the last tribute of respect to one who was generally esteemed. Gentile and Jew, Catholic and Protestant. Anglicans, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, Congregationalists, and members of the Salvation Army were all to be seen walking side by side behind the remains of the late Bishop of Auckland, an eloquent testimony that his long service in this city had not been in vain. The desire of the deceased that there should be no carriages was strictly adhered to, and it was fortunate that such was the case, because the crowd near St. Mary’s Cathedral was so great that there would have been danger of accident. So many wreaths were forwarded that it became necessary to convey them to the cemetery in a large van, and after the interment was ended quite a pyramid of floral tributes of respect was raised over the grave. The fact that the late Primate was senior chaplain of Auckland entitled him to a military funeral, apart from the fact that he had also been a chaplain in the Army, and in that capacity saw active service in India. The special request of Uis Excellency Lord Ranfurly- that the members of the Empire Veterans’ Association should attend was well responded to. Captain Daveney and some 60 or 70 of those who in bygone days had fought for the Empire being present. Amongst them were some who wore medals for the Indian Mutiny, and

were, therefore, in that respect old comrades of the deceased. The veterans assembled at Bishop’s Court, where the coffin, bearing the body of the Primate, was placed on a gun carriage, under escort of the A Battery of Artillery. Volunteers lined both sides of the road from Bishop’s Court to the Cathedral, and between the lines passed the procession of the clergy, the Rev. Canon Mac Murray reciting the first portion of the funeral service. Next came the funeral car, with the coffin covered by the Union Jack, and behind marched the veterans and officers of the various volunteer forces. As the church bell tolled slowly the Garrison Band played the “Dead March" in Saul, and the great gathering of people reverently uncovered as the gun carriage bore past them the remains of the Primate. Meanwhile the Cathedral had been crowded, with the exception of the seats reserved for the veterans, officers and others. A combined choir of the Anglican churches filled the seats in the chancel. When the solemn strains of the “Dead March” were heard all present in the Cathedral rose, and remained standing until after ths coffin had been placed in position before the altar. Immediately behind the coffin walked the three sons of the deceased —Rev. E M. Cowie, Rev. John Cowie, Mr Arthut.

Cowie—Mr Marshall (son-in-law), and ♦he Primate's old friend, Sir John Logan Campbell. Amongst those present in the church or at the funeral were Captain Boscawen, Hon. A. (representing His Excellency the Governor), Captain Rolleston, H.M.s. Archer; Lieutenant Harbord, H.M.s. Lizard; Major Harris, M.L.C., Hon. E. Mitehelaon. Hon T. Thompson, Hon. J. A. Tole, Messrs George Fowlds, M.H.R., R. Monk, M.H.R.. Hone Heke, M.H.R., A. Kidd (Mayor of Auckland). H. W. Wilson (town clerk). Crs. J. McLeod, J. Patterson. J. 11. Hannan, A. Rosser, John Fitt (Mayor of Parnell), B. Gilmer (town clerk), Cr. C. Wood, J. O’Neill (chairman Waitemata County Council), O. Mays (secretary), J. Stichbury (chairman of Hospital and Charitable Aid Board), N. G. Garland (secretary), and G. J. Garland (member), W. Gunson (chairman of Harbour Board), Anglican General Trust Board, Messrs J. 11. Upton, Captain Clayton, J. Dacre, H. B. Morton, H. Brett, and S. Luke; Standing Committee, Messrs W. H. Armstrong. F. G. Ewington, Dr. Hooper. S. L. Abbott, T. Gresham, and C. J. Tunks; Cathedral Chapter, H. G. Seth Smith and V. Rice; Anglican Sunday School Union, Win. Taylor and W Collins; Diocesan Pension Board, W J. Speight, W. S. Whitley; Church of England Dioecsan Ollice. W. S. Cochrane and G. B. Osmond; Melanesian Trust Board, Captain Frater and A. Heather; General Church Trust, G. S. Kissling, A. S. Russell; Principal and students of St. John’s College; Governor of St. John’s College, Rev. Beatty and Dr. Mackellar; Auckland Presbytery, Rev. W. Gray-Dixon (Moderator), Revs. T. Norrie. R. F. Macnieol, G. B. Munro, Hugh Kelly, and 11. B. Gray; Pastor Clark (Baptist). Revs. C. 11. Garland, W. Readv. J. J. Lewis, J. Simmonds, J. D. Pinfold, IV. Gittos;Frec Methodist, Rev. Potter; Professorial Board, Messrs Brown. Thomas Egerton, Tubbs. Segar, and Dr. Thomas; Journalist Institute, R. M. Hackett (president), Messrs W. S. Douglas. N. Burton, T. Cottle, and F. Baxter; Sailors' Home Council, Gaptain M. T. Clayton (vice-presi-dent), G. O’Halloran (secretary), C. Grant (manager). Captain J. Adamson, Messrs 11. Peeke, I’. J. Nerheny, J. W. Coleman. J. K. Kneen, and Rev. W. Budd (members); Y.M.C.A.. Messrs T. Buddle, C. Hemery. and Brakenrig (secretary). Captain Lc Roy, E. Hartley. W. G. W. Philson, D. D. Metgc.' H. Choyce, G. V. McDonald, C. M. Calder, Colonel Burton. E. Colson; O. Bronberger. Lincoln, A. Bruce. H. O. Nolan, .1. W. Hall, G. A. Buttle (ehairman Auckland Stock Exchange). R. B. Shalders. Mclntosh, R. Hobbs. Inspector Mulgan, W. Spragg, B. .1. M. Kemp Francis Hull, A. C. Whitney, J. W. Nieholl. W. J. Cousins, A. Towsey, .1. 11. Phillpot, Theo Kissling. J. Kenderdine. F. Kenderdine, Hugh Campbell. 11. C. Tewsley, 11. Gilfillan. C. Purehas, S. Ilesketh. W. Crowther, 11. N. Pollard, W. Manning, IT. Haselden, Brook-Smith, George Higgins, P. Mackay. Captain Duder, D.Uay.H.W. Brabant, S.M.. T. Hutchison S.M., Judge Williams. Judge Smith. J. W. Tibbs, W. Kayll, E. Page, J. A. Pond, Dr. 11. Walker, Dr. Roberton, Warren Blyth, Bankhart, G. L. Peacocke, W. Thompson. Thomas Peaoock, 11. Edmiston, E. Harker, A. Littler. J. 11. M. Carpenter, 11. Wilding, T. Morrin, E. Langley. IT. Lodge. W. Holmes. G. Gregory, Major Pirie, Southall. IL C. Brewer J. Savage, T. Arthur, J. Thornes, W. Coleman. L. L. Levy, F. Brodie. R. Horton. A. Clements. Roche, Brigham, A. Clements, R. R. Hunt. J. Kennedy, IT. Harrop, F. Moore, J. A. Beale, E. C<>x. MeCosh Clark, E. Mahoney. W. IL ('burton, Major Morrow. Captain Morrow. Captain Archer, W. W. Kidd, E. Turner. Edward Morton, L. Mount, F. Smith. Staunton and Graves Aickin. Rev. Father Patterson. Messrs J. M. Shorn. C. Charter, John Gregory. G. Carder. T. ( ulpan. S. Stokes, White. W. Frieker C. Fricke r. J. Fcrredaj. FLORAL TIGHT TES. An immense number of wreaths and other floral marks of sympathy were rent to Bishopseourt, THE SERVICE. The following clergy occupied places in the chancel-Archdeacons Calder and

Willis, Canons Mae Murray, Nelson, Gould, and Haselden, Revs. W. E. Lush, W. E. Gillam, Fowler, G. A. Carver, F. Latter, O.< R. Hewlett, H. B. Wingfield, P. Smallfield, J. K. Davis, W. H. Wilson, W. M. Du Rieu, 8. Ingle, R. Bolcr, T. Eykyn, J. M. Devenish, A. G. Purehas, E. C. Budd, Tindall, Hocte, Cherrington, F. W. Walker, Aston, and F. B. Dobson. THE FUNERAL PROCESSTON. Outside the church the troops lined the roadway from the doors right along to Bishopseourt. The coffin was carried out to the gun carriage, and the procession started for St. Stephen’s cemetery, Sergeant-Major Turton leading, followed by the Eden Cadet Corps, St. John’s Collegiate • School Cadets, and King’s. College Cadets, all preceding the gun carriage. Immediately behind walked the relatives of the deceased, then the clergy, headed by Von. Archdeacon Calder and Rev. Dr. Purehas. Following the clergy were the veterans, and next came the troops, with the senior officers walking together behind. The following were represented: Detaehinents from H.M.s. Lizard and H.M.s. Archer, Auckland Bearer .Company, under Surgeon-Captain Parkes; Victoria Rifles, Captain Skinner; College Rifles, Lieut. MeHardie; No. I Natives, Captain Hutton; No. 2 Natives, Lieuts. J. Coates and Massey; No. 3 Natives, Captain J. R. Reed; Gordon Rifles, Captain Knight; Newton Rifles, Lieut. Plugge; Engineers, Lieut. Cumming; Auckland Mounted Rifles. Lieuts. Wynyard and A. A. White; Dcvonport Submarine Miners, Lieuts. Davis' and Murdoch; Ponsonby and Auckland Navals, Captain G. W. S. Patterson, Lieuts. J. Spinley and Ewan; and Permanent Force, Lieut. Wall, who was in command of the Navals and firing party. The Battalion was under the command of Major A. M. Myers. The “A’ Battery Artillery,: under the command of Lieutenants Bosworth and Liiiscombe, was the escort to the gun carriage, and the Garrison Band was in attendance, and during the march to the cemetery played “Departed Comrades,’’ ‘‘Final Halt,” and the “Dead March.” Immediately behind the two officers from Hie warship, inarched the Mayor of Auckland, Mr A. Kidd, followed by some hundreds of gentlemen, all walking four deep, the pavements on each side being also thronged with people. The scholars of St. Stephen’s Native School, under the master, Mr Smith, awaited the procession in the Avenue, and formed at each side of the road. As the gun carriage passed through they sang in Maori Hie beautiful hymn, “When our heads.are bowed with woe,” and sill' -equently fell in behind. THE BURIAL. As the cemetery was approached the troops once more lined each side of the street, and allowed the gun carriage and the remainder of the followers to pass through to the gates. The sun was just sinking in the west as the body of the Primate was lowered into the grave. The remainder of the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Purehas, and concluded by Hie Ven. Arch. Calder. The beautiful hymn, “Now Hie labourer’s task is o'er” was then sung by the choir, and the religious portion of the. service terminated. There only remained one thing more to be done, the 'firing of three volleys over the grave where the remains of the sol-dier-priest wore laid to rest. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. Messages of sympathy have been received from His Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, the Right lion. R. J. Seddon, Bishop Neville (Dunedin). Bishop Julius (Christchurch). Bishop Stretch (Queensland), Bishop Williams (Waiapu), Bishop Mules (Nelson), Bishop Wallis (Wellington), Dean Hackett and his flock. Dean Hovcll. Archdeacon Willi<. Archdeacon Walsh, Archdeacon Govett, Archdeacon Fancourt, Archdeacon Pritt. Archdeacon Williams, Father Patterson, Sir G. M. O’Rorke, Rabbi Goldstein. Mayor of Auckland and the Town Clerk, end many societies, schools and private individuals throughout the colony.