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SEDDON STATUE.

UNVEILED BY THE PRIME MINISTER. A HOKITIKA MEMORIAL. [BX TELEGRAPH— rjIESS ASSOCIATION.] HOKITIKA, 25th May. The unveiling ceremony in conneo tion with the memorial to the late" Mr. Seddori eventuated this ' afternoon, in the presence of a fairly large gathering. The heavy rain in the inornine militated against the attendance. Th* school cadets wefe< well "represented, over a total of 200 beipg present from Reefton, Greymouth, Cobden, and Hokitika districts. Mr. T. J. M'Quiran, chairman of the Memorial Committee, referred to theerection of the marble statue of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, who had, he said, accomplished so much in, the service of his country and for tha Empire. He referred to the spontaneous manner in which the residents of Hokililca and West Coast generally had subscribed towards the memorial, the total cost of which amounted to about £580. Sir Joseph Ward, who was greeted with applause, said it was a pleasure to be there that day as Mr. Ssddon's sue cessor to pay his respects amidst the scones where Mr. Seddon had passed his early youth. The statue would serve to point out for all time that the services of a great man wero here commemorated. Mr. Seddon had played a great part, and had actively led pubiio opinion, not alone in thiß Dominion, but in tho other parta of the Empire, he had made his impress upon Imperial questions, and it was largely due to him that the relations between tha Home Country and the overseas Dominions were put on a broader basis of mutual protection. It was a wonderful record, was due to strenuous and hard work. His close application, strenuous exertion, and indefatigaSility would serve as a fine example to the younger generation. Other parts of the Dominion had Borne tangible evidence of their respect, but Hokitika was the first to have a complete statue. He desired to thank the West Coasters bpth here and elsewhere for the ready response they had given to the appeal to commemorate Mr. Seddon's memory, in this connection he wished also tq refer to Mr. Parkinson, the contractor, who, they all would recognise, had carved a splendid likeness of the deceased. Sir Joseph Ward then gave a brief history of Mr. Seddou's career. Mr. Seddon, he said in conclusion, had died tooeoon owing to his strenuous work, leaving <v ! widow and family. The" statue was-no j compensation for the loss of a husband and father, but it would prove a source of satisfaction to them. It showed the finer side of human nature when those living recognised the worth of those • who had died. On behalf of the donors he asked Mr. Michel; the Mayor of Hokitika, for himself and his successors, to receive the statue, and to take rare of it. He trusted and felt Bure that care would be taken of it, and that the Mayor would accept the care and responsibility of its preservation. It was appropriate that the flags used on this occasion were those used a few months ago at the ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and that Mrs. Morice was present on both occasions. Sir Joseph Ward then unveiled the statue, the Territorials presenting arms. Mr. Michel, Mayor of Hokitika, said he accepted the trust on behalf of the borough of Hokitika, by whom the statue wpuld be properly taken care of both now and in the days to come. (Anplause.)' Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., briefly thanked the people of tho West Coast who had so generously subscribed to the fund for the erection of the statue. Cheers were then given for the King, the Prime Minister. Mrs. Seddon, the chairman (Mr. D. J. Evans), the secretary, and Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19100526.2.11

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 122, 26 May 1910, Page 2

Word Count
626

SEDDON STATUE. Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 122, 26 May 1910, Page 2

SEDDON STATUE. Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 122, 26 May 1910, Page 2