Tuesday

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 41, 30 January 1885, Page 11

Tuesday

An extraordinary scene occurred on Sunday at the funeral of J. H. Holmes, the scenic artist, who was burnt to death on Friday night. Mackinlay, the deceased's landlord and a Freethinker, had arranged with Dr. Yorke, a Freethought lecturer, to conduct the funeral obsequies, while Holmes' other friends had forwarded a similar request to the Key. Mr. Tebbs, an Anglican minister. The funeral was largely attended, and the Freethought section commenced to complain at Mr. Tebbs being present. At the gate of the cemetery a parley took place, during which the coffin was left in the hearse. Mackinlay told Mr. Tebbs that his services were not required, but Mr. Tebbs insisted on conducting the service, saying that there was not any relative of the deceased present, and there was no proof that he had abjured the faith of the Church of England. He would therefore do his duty. A number of Churchmen then went to the hearse and removed the coffin. As the procession moved down the path to the open grave, the rev. gentleman commenced to read the passage, " I am the resurrection and. the life," which was greeted by a portion of the Freethought section with interruptions of " (Jut it short," " Bosb," " We have had enough of that rot," " Shut up," etc. At the grave, just before the clergyman pronounced the words, " Asbes to ashes, dust to dust," Mackinlay jumped on the side of the grave and cried out, " We have had enough of that stuff," or words to that effect, but he was greeted with cries of " Shame !" from the crowd. Mr. Tebbs, however, proceeded with the service to the close. As soon as he bad done, the sexton and his assistants commenced to shovel in the earth on the coffin. A call was then made by the Freethought people for Mr. Ellis to proceed with his service, but that gentleman declined. At the conclusion of the proceedings persons of every denomination, including Catholics and Jews, shook hands with Mr. Tebbs and thanked him for carrying out his duty in the manner he had done under the trying circumstances in which he was placed. As a finale to this extraordinary funeral, the driver of the hearse, in returning to his home, accidentally fell down a staircase and sustained a broken ancle. Holmes was not a member of the Freetbought Association, but had attended several of their lectures. He was a son of Holmes, Court painter to George IV. Owing to the boisterous weather, the departure of Mr. Ballance for Onehunga was postponed from Saturday night until yesterday evening. He leaves in the Hinemoa at 10 to-night, and meets the Waikato Natives next Monday. Owing to the absence of several members of the Ministry from Wellington, the Colonial Secretary will be unable to complete his inspection of charitable institutions and hospitals for some time. He has yet to visit Napier, New Plymouth, and Wanganui districts, in the North Island ; and also the West Coast, Middle Island. A terrible accident occurred to the mail train on Sunday night near Cootamundra, N.S.W., on the Southern line. Owing to the heavy rains an embankment had given way, and the train in the darkness rushed into the gap and was completely wrecked. Many of the carriages were telescoped, and several passengers were killled or wounded. The was one of intense horror. The train contained among its passengers a number of bookmakers, all of whom escaped with slight injuries. The culvert which collapsed made a gap 50 yards wide and 9ft deep. The carriages were precipitated into the gap and fairly dammed the creek, and several persons were washed down the stream. Others were killed by the force of the concussion. Several miraculous escape 3 are reported to have occurred. Seven bodies have been recovered, viz., those of Crawford, railway employe ; Willow, ditto : O'Dwyer, mail guard ; Compessby, a railway official; and a woman and two

children, names unknown. Numbers have suffered more or less serious injuries. The Daily Newt states that England intends to annex the whole ol the southern part of New Guinea. A convention has been concluded between the Russian and German Governments providing for the mutual extradition of anarchists.

The annexation by Italy of Belul Bay, in the Bed Sea, is said to be imminent.

The French forces recently made an attack on the Chinese at Kelung, and were repulsed with severe losses. A bill has been presented to the U.S. Senate to provide for the punishment of explosive crimes hatched or committed in America or elsewhere.

The advance of the British expedition to, Bechuanaland has commenced.

Lord Derby considers that any future action taken by England in regard to annexation will much depend upon the liability of the Colonies in this matter.

Sir Saul Samuel is urging the necessity for a complete jurisdiction being established over Hew Guinea.

Prince Bismarck is opposing the stringency of the annexation rules proposed by England to be brought before the forthcoming conference on Pacific affairs.

The Observer states that England assents to the French proposals regarding the settlement of Egyptian finances, with the exception of that relating to the immediate appointment of a financial 'inquiry committee.

The Government of the Transvaal have concluded a commercial treaty with Germany.

Germany has annexed North Sierra Leone, on the west coast of Africa.

The policeman who attempted to remove the parcel of dynamite which exploded at Westminster Hall is dying fiom the injuries he sustained. Over 100 apertures were made in the roof of the Hall near where the explosion occurred. The contents of the banqueting hall, Council Chamber, and Tower were much damaged by water during the extinguishing of the fire caused by the explosion. A Canadian sailor, who was suspected Of complicity in the outrage and was arrested, has since been released, and an Irish-American has been arrested on suspicion. The whole country is intensely indignant at the outrage. It is stated that the Government have received a letter disclosing the plans of the dynamitards who effected the explosions, and indicating the members of the band. The London Press strongly appeals to America to enact rigorous measures against dynamitards. In connection with the outrage it has transpired that a lady informed a constable, who was on duty at Westminster Hall., that she had observed some men place a parcel in the crypt, and <•■ the policeman was in the act of removing it an explosion ensued* Beveral monuments in the Hall were considerably injured. About ICO visitors had quitted the House of Commons just before the explosion occurred. The Peers' gallery and the Liberal lobby were completely wrecked. The Opposition lobby, the strangers' gallery, and many benches in the House, together with Mr. Gladstone's and the Speaker's seats, were injured by the explosion. In the Tower the armoury roof was blown open by dynamite which was placed on the staircase. Five persons were seriously injured, and 30, including children, were slightly injured. A great many stands of arms were destroyed by the explosion. Lord Wolseley has telegraphed to the Government that General Earle's columu has reached Hamdab, and started for Berber via Abuhammed. General Earle had collected his forces at a point 35 miles beyond Hamdab. The absence of any news from Colonel Stewart since the battle near Gadkul is causing some anxiety. The Arabs report that he has arrived'at El Metemneh.