LAID TO REST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3283, 31 July 1911, Page 5

LAID TO REST.

MR. T. E. TAYLOR’S FUNERAL.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL.

IMMENSE CONCOURSE OF PEOPLE [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.! CHRISTCHURCH, July 30. In the presence of a great gathering of Christchurch citizens, the mortal remains of the late Mayor (.Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P.), were to-day laid to rest.

Around the marshalling area, along the line of route, and outside and within the cemetery gates the people massed, all anxious" to have a part in paying their last great tribute to the departed head of the city. The morning 'was overcast, and soft rain fell, and the general air of sadness was most pronounced. The cortege was perhaps the largest of its kind yet seen in Christchurch, but the complete arrangements made enabled the different sections to be marshalled and placed in their proper positions with every dignity and without confusion. The head of the procession left at-half past two, and the Selwyn Street Cemetery was reached three-quarters of an hour later, \ and the service at the graveside brought to a close a most solemn civic function early this morning. At the Council Chamber. The casket containing the' body of the late Mayor, was brought, fropi Cash-' mere Hills to the City Council building, and there placed on a black draped table in the big Council Chamber, opposite the Mayoral chair, and within the horse shoe area bounded by the table used at» the Council’s meetings. The interior of the Chamber was heavily draped in black, while all around, on tables covered with white cloths, were arranged the multitude of wreaths which since Saturday morning had poured into the office. At half-past ten the main gates to the building were opened, and the big crowds assembled outside commenced to file quickly and steadily in. As they reached the top of the stairs the people entered the Chamber, filed round the body within the horse shoe area, viewed the casket and the wreaths, and left by the small door at the south end. The long stream of citizens continued without interruption throughout the whole of the morning and right up to 1 o’clock, when- the doors were closed. A change was made in the method of admission during the morning to deal more effectively with the concourse of citizens. The main entrance gates were closed, and the door of the south end of the Chamber reached by a small starcase from the outside of the building, the exit being through a door at the rear of the structure. By that means any chance of congestion inside the Chamber was avoided, for previously it was found that people could enter faster by the big door than they could leave by the small door, and there was the risk of the Chamber being over crowded.

Cortege Moves Off. Shortly after 1 o’clock the last person had left, and preparations were then put' in hand for the funeral. All the cards were taken from the wreaths and collected together by the Assistant Town Clerk, to be handed later to Mrs Taylor. The wreaths were then removed from the Chamber and placed on a special, hearse outside, that hearse following immediately behind the coffin. Such wreaths as could not be placed on the special bfearse were arranged on the lamp rackets of the carriages behind. By 2 o’clock all the carriages in the official section of the procession were in position. The choir and the Linwooa Band were stationed on the east side of the terrace opposite the Council offices, and the units composing the head of the procession were in their places. Outside the barricades the people crowded, and at twenty minutes past two the band played the tune of one .of Mr. Taylor’s favorite hymns: “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended,” and the assembled choirs, under the leadership of Mr. Simpson, leader of the St. Albans Methodist Church Choir, sang the hymn through, accompanied by the band. A few minutes later the casket, borne by members of the City Council, was brought down from the Chamber through the main entrance, and placed on an open hearse. Then the choir sang a second hymn—the late Mr. Taylor’s favorite—“O Lord, Who by Thy Presence Hast Made Light,” and at the close of this hymn the long cortege moved off, the prevailing silence being broken only by the slow tolling of church bells. A Striking Feature.

The procession was about two miles long. In the carriages in the official section were members of the family of the late Mr. Taylor, the Acting-Prime Minister and other Ministers, and members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives; also the full membership of the City Council, and representatives of practically all the other local bodies and different organisations.

A striking feature of the procession was the presence on foot of about 2000 men belonging mostly to Trades Unions all the local unions having representatives. His Excellency the Governor was also represented at the funeral. * All along the line of route .the people crowded, and there was another big crowd in the locality of the cemetery outside the gates, but the uttermost orderliness prevailed throughout the whole of the marshalling and progress of the procession, the excellent arrangements made by the Deputy-Mayor, Mr J . J. Dougall, Mr. R. C. Bishop, and Police-Inspector Kiely, contributing to that end. About 150 wreaths were sent, and these made a striking display in the Council Chamber while the body was lying in state. At the Graveside. At the graveside the scene was most solemn. Prominent amongst those present, in addition to members of the Taylor family and relatives, were Sir James Carroll, the Hon. G. Fowlds, and the Hon. D. Buddo. The service was conducted by Mr. L. M. Isitt, the Rev. C. H. Garland,, the Rev. C. H. Laws, and the Rev. S. Henderson. • ‘Lead'Kindly-Light,” one of the late Mr Taylor’s favorite hymns, was sung, and the Rev. Mr. Laws offered up an appropriate prayer. Mr. Isitt, in his funeral oration, referred to the outstanding features of the life of Mr. Taylor, and said that the lesson of his life was that they should struggle on for Christlikeness, in word, thought, and spirit. Addressing the late Mr. Taylor’s comrades in arms, he urged them to greater efforts, so that the hope of Mr. Taylor’s life, Should be consummated, and the people of New Zealand freed for ever from

the degrading influence-of strong drink. “LOSS TO SOCIAL REFORM.” REGRET FROM”MENS’ BROTHERHOOD. ' ■■ k WELLINGTON, July 30. At a meeting of the City Mens’ Brotherhood to-day, Mr. Edward Tregear and Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., made feeling reference to the loss occasioned to social reform by the death of Mr. T. E. Taylor. A resolution was passed, condoling with the widow and family, and regretting the loss of a capable and selfsacrificing man. “A UNIQUE PERSONALITY.” APPRECIATIVE REFERENCE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In. the Legislative Council on Saturday morning, while moving a resolution expressing appreciation of the late Mr. Taylor, and condolence with his widow and family, the Hon James McGowen said that the deceased was a unique personality. He had, not unfittingly, been termed the “Stormy petrel of New Zealand politics,” and liis censure was severe even to the extent of ruthlessness, yet he was correspondingly liberal in his praise, which, being carefully bestowed, was all the more appreciated. In his advocacy of any cause he espoused, he was wholesouled, and characteristically effective, and New Zealand grieved to-day at the cutting off of a public-spirited legislator and citizen -

The Hon. Mr. Loughnan, in a brief eulogy, seconded the motion. The Hon. J. Barr and the Hon. .J. T. Paul also made appreciative speeches, and the motion was carried. MEMORIAL FUND INAUGURATED. WIDESPREAD HELP ANTICIPATED CHRISTCHURCH, * July 29. A meeting, attended by representatives of all sections of the community, was held this afternoon to consider the question of setting up a memorial fund to the late Mr. T. E. Taylor. Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., presided. It was stated, on the authority of the late Mr. Taylor’s solicitor, Mr. C. E. Salter, that Mr. Taytl'or’s mother is practically penniless, and his wife and five daughters and one son are not sufficiently well off to raise them above the worry of educational and other considerations. It was decided that a memorial fund should be initiated to the late Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., for the benefit of those dependent on him. It is intended „to vest the sum raised in trustees to be appointed., Subsequently a numerous committee, consisting not only of prominent -uiblie men in Christchurch, but also in other parts of the Dominion, was set up. Subscriptions to the fund wilil be received by the Town Clerk of Christchurch (Mr. H. R. Smith), by the treasurer of the fund, Mr. C. E. Salter, and by the secretary, Mr J. McCoombs. There was collected in the room the sum of £267.

The labour representatives present stated that they intended contributing through their unions. The Farmers’ Union also intended to subscribe through their various branches.

REFERENCE IN LOCAL CHURCHES “CHRISTIAN PATRIOT AND REFORMER.” The; Methodist Church was crowded last night, when the Rev. J. A. Lochore preached on “Mr. T. E. Taylor, Christian Patriot and Reformer.” His text was Psalm XLV., 7, “Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of joy above thy fellows.” This passage seemed to describe the deceased patriot. But for his burning sense of the need of national and individual righteousness, and his hatred of national iniquity, T. E. Taylor would never have adorned more than a very small circle. As it was he stood out as a man whose name would go down: to history. He stood in a different relation to a great body of the electors fi-omi any other oolitic-ian however popular. He attached people to himself by his magnetic personality, so that they regarded him with affectionate esteem'. He was the Lloyd-Georg© of New Zalan'd. The preacher traced Mr. Taylor’s entry into prohibition work, and showed how it was forced upon him by the logic of circumstances. As soon as one drunkard was rescued by him and his friends there were, more awaiting them. Incidentally Mr. Lochore paid a tribute to Mr. Taylor s father, who he stated was an ardent temperance man, and had not died a drunkard as was currently reported in Gisborne. The dying of the patriot were referred to, and the preacher pointed out that Mr. Taylor s advice to the Labour party to' get the religions element into their . movement was the result of wide reading of history and much thought. Character must have a religious basis .and a_ character after all would rule the world. As men. live so they die. T. E. Taylor had lived courageously doing the.right, and bo died working to the end and seeking to do the right. There, was no flinehiin'o* from death, for 'be had the crreat hone of immortality. He knew God .and the Christ as his brother man. “Carry me over the le.ng last mile, Man of Nazareth, Christ for me; Speak to me out of the silence, Lord, That my spirit may know as I torward go, . . Thy pierced hands are lifting me over the ford. He had crossed the ford and obtained the rest, he had so well earned. The prayers contained special lefcience to the family of the deceased These were com'mended to the. care o the Great Father.

BAPTIST CHURCH. The Rev. W Lamb preached a special sermon yesterday evening in connection with the death < of M-. • . • Taylor. He took for his texts Isaia 111., 2, and Ecclesiastes 111., 14. ine preacher referred to the terrible los the Dominion had sustained by death of Mr. Taylor, who had identi ficcl himself with every movement toi the good of men. Lots of people looked on him as a prohibition leader, but Mr Taylor gave his warmest sympathy and support to • every movement that was for the uplifting of the community. He was a strong hater of every form of injustice and of every evil that affected society. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Labour movement, because he believed this movement was likely to benefit the people. Mr. laylor was against the drink evil, as he believed that irt was against social proSl The Rev. Mr. Lamb also dealt with the messages Mr. Taylor sent to the Prohibition Party and the Labour Party. Special hymns were sung by the large congregation.