THE LATE MR R. L. SEDDON.

The Argus of the 16th August gives the following particulars of the drowning of Mr Seddon, the captain of the English football team :— " Mr R. L. Seddon, the captain of the English Rugby football team, was drowned at West Maitland to-day. The footballers, after the match yesterday, were having a day's spell, and Mr Seddon visited the River Hunter, which flows past the town, for the purpose of indulging in a little sculling exercise. He procured an outrigger at the Floating Baths, and pulled some distance up the river, when the boat was accidentally overturned, and Mr Seddon was drowned. His body was recovered 20 minutes after the accident, and every means of restoring animation was tried, but without avail. Mr Seddon was watched away from the baths by two other members of the team, but he was a considerable distance away from his friends when his boat upset. Mr Seddon belonged to the Lancashire and Swinton teams, and was an international player. He had made himself exceedingly popular during the time he had been in the colonies, and bis death has caused a painful sensation in athletic circles in Sydney." THE FUNEHAL AT MAITLAND— A MEMORIAL TO BE

ERECTED.

From papers to hand from Maitland, New South Wales, I glean some interesting particulars regarding the sad accident to the English captain referred to in my notes last week. "The Vagrant" writes as follows, under the heading of " Sporting Gossip," in the Maitland Mercury of August 18: — The dark cloud of sorrow and the heavy pall of sadness have seldom lain more heavily upon Maitlanders in their direst calamities than on Wednesday afternoon when the news was spread that Mr R. L. Seddon, the captain of the English team of footballers, had been drowned in the Hunter river whilst boating. The facts have been fully published, and so need no recapitulation ; but the excitement evinced by the shocked community was sufficient to show the poor fellow's companions that the public of the colonies can bear their full share in sympathy. The case is a peculiarly distressing one. Mr Seddon was a Lancashire man, and his tongue had not yet lost the "burr" of the natives of his far away North of England village. He was in his twenty-eighth year, stood sft ll£in, weighed nearly 13st in condition, and was a magnificent specimen of matured manhood. He was one of the best forwards at the Rugby game in England, and had also played for Scotland, Ireland, and Wales in all the principal matches, besides doing good service for his compatriots in the colonies. He was an orphan, and single, but was engaged to be marrisd upon his return from his trip to Australia. Poor fellow ! That return trip will never be, and the place ' and persons which knew him once shall know him no more. His memory, however, will not soon die, and doubtless in his far away home across the seas which he will never again traverse little .things and sayings of the stalwart Bob will be fondly treasured up in the breasts of those who knew and loved him well. lam not a fatalist, but death is indeed a strange, incomprehensible thing, which I supposa we will all have to undergo to understand ; still it is queer to ponder over the fact that the big, strong gallant young Englishman had braved death by flood and field in his own land for years and then met his doom so tragically in a river in such an out-of-the-way corner as Maitlahd,aplace he pro-, bably never heard of until a few short months ago. Perhaps it was poor Seddon's destiny ; wh* knows. The English team may rest assured that they possess the full sympathy of the public of Maitland in what to them was a true bereavement, but that has already been exemplified by the kindly conduct of the Rev. Mr Warner and good motherly Mrs Hodgson, who was as 'deeply grieved, shocked, and put about as if the deceased had been her own son, and the body could not, or would not, have been treated with greater respect and womanly devotion if such had been the case. Now, I think it remains for the footballers of the district to show their regret at the sad occurrence. If the treasurers of the various clubs in the district levied a small sum from all the members a sufflfcient amount would soon be raised to erect a memorial stone over the remains of poor Seddon, whose grave lies so many thousands of miles from where his relatives could pay it the necessary attention. It would b,e a graceful act, but in any case may the sods lie lightly and the grass grow green where poor Bob Seddon sleeps his last long sleep so far from home and kindred.

THE FUNERAL.

The following particulars regarding the funeral and the great sympathy shown by the people of Maitland will also be read with interest: — The remains of the late Mr Robert • Lionel Seddon, captain of the English team of footballers, whose untimely death is so deeply deplored (says the same paper), were committed to their last resting-place on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of people, who had assembled to take part in the melan.choly and painful office of paying a last tribute to his memory. His end was truly sad. He left Home a few short months ago, full of life and manly vigour, to seek pleasure and enjoyment, and to uphold the prestige of his country in the football field, and has found a grave in a strange land, far removed from relatives and friends. Amiable in disposition, elevated in principle, a most genial and kind companion, of good attainments, he was beloved and revered by his comrades, who mourn his loss as that of a brother, and the residents of this district share with them their grief. The deceased gentleman was an orphan, and survived his father only some two years. His mother died many years ago, we are told. He has left behind him four brothers and two sisters, some of whom are married. Born in Salford in 1860, he was educated in Manchester, and on leaving school he entered into a large woollen establishment at Home, and by industry and business tact was soon raised to a position which involved great responsibility in the warehouse. He was an enthusiastic lover of mauly sports, and had long been known in the Old Country as one of best exponents of the Rugbp game of football. When asked to accompany the first English football team that has visited the colonies he cheerfully assented, and looked forward to spending a pleasant tour. A week after the team started from England, which was in March last, the late Mr Seddon was chosen for his many good qualities as captain, and accepted the post. , His football career in his native land is worthy of notice. He first made his appearance in the field as a member of tb.e Ascensions Club at Broughton, and gave great promise as a footballer. Subsequently he joined the famous Broughton Rangers, with whom he played for many years. While wearing the colours of that club he gained the highest honours that

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oouJd fall to a football player in the Old Country, and was selected to represent England in all her international matches during 1886-7. Last season he threw in his lot with Swinton, one *of the leading cluba in England, and retained the reputation he had won in Manchester. Since the team landed in New Zealand he played with his men in every match up to Tuesday last. His' body now lies in the silent grave. Such is the mysterious dispensation of Providence. Mr Seddon made many friends in Maitland shortly after his arrival, and has left behind memories which can never be effaced. A mound marks the spot where his mortal remains were interred, and a monument is to be placed there. » The funeral procession started from the Royal Hotel shortly after 3 o'clock. It was a sad and solemn spectacle, and was witnessed by many hundreds of townsfolk and visitors from beyond Maitland. Footballers came from Newcastle and elsewhere to pay a tribute of respect to his memory, and there were representatives present of all thft football clubs in this district. The corpse had been encased in a polished cedar coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths of , flowers which had been sent by many sympathising friends. Three were forwarded by the Wallsend, Fitzroy (Victoria), and Geelong (Victoria) Football Clubs. A fine floral wreath was placed on the coffin by the comrades of the deceased ; and a costly porcelain wreath by Mr William Filmer, senr. The coffin was borne from the Royal Hotel to the hearse by) eight of the late Mr Seddon'g companions, and taken to St. Paul's Church, followed by a very large body of mourners. The footballers, who numbered about 160, wore the Golours of their respective clubs and crape on their breasts, walked to the church, and afterwards to the cemetry. At each side of the hearse were delegates from various clubs in the Hunter district. In front were the general body of footballers, and the Englishmen walked behind the hearse, next to which came four mourning coaches ; then the Mayor of West Maitland (Mr John Gillies), driving. Sixty other vehicles were behind. Nearly all the aldermen were present. At the church portion of the beautiful burial service of the Church of England was impressively read by the Rev. T. D. Warner, incumbent, who was assisted by the Rev, Canon Tyrrell, President of the Northumberland Football Club. The surpliced choir had been got together, and when the solemn hymn " Brief life is here our portion " was sung, many a stout heart gave way to tears, and the grief that was outwardly shown by the numerous Congregation assembled to join in the solemn service was doubtless nothing by comparison with what was inwardly felt. As the congregation left the sacred edifice, Mr Geo. F. King, of St. Mary's, who presided at tshe organ, played the "Dead March in Saul.' The cortege moved from the church, along Devonshire street into High street, to the cemetery. Parts of the main thoroughfare were crowded with people. While the funeral passed along High street the houses of the business men were closed, and the Rev. W. H. H. Yarrington had the large bell at St. Mary's Church tolled till the cortege was out of sight. As a token of respect to the memory of the deceased, Mr Galton's skating rink was not opened on Thursday afternoon, and flags at half-mast floated from the summit of the building. The Rev. Mr Warner and Canon Tyrrell officiated at the grave, around which stood the distressed comrades of him whom they had seen but a few hours before hale and hearty and in gleeful spirits. By the side of the open grave there Was gathered a large number of the residents of Maitland, who had come to do honour to the dead, and to afford consolation to those, who deplored the loss of one to whom they had been so deeply attached, and who were heavy of heart. The procession was marshalled by Mr George Buxton, aided by Mr R. F. Watson. Before the funeral left the hotel" the Rev. T. D. Warner met the members of the English team in the room where the body lay, and offered a few words of sympathy with them in their affliction, and read a portion of Scripture to them, and prayed with them.

The following letter was published by the secretary of the team : —

The promoters and members of the Anglo-Austra-tralian football team beg to express their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the inhabitants of West Maifcland and district— particularly those who took an active part in the funeral of the late Mr K. L. Seddon— for the many sympathies were displayed by them on the sad ev6nt becoming known, and to say that the many kindnesses which have been shown to them in their sad bereavement will never be forgotten. Weat Maifcland and its sympathetic inhabitants will always remain foremost inour memories, and we shall convey Home to the friends and relatives of our late respected captain a faithful account of your kind awd Ohristianlike behaviour at this sad period of our tour, which up to now has been full of happy and pleasant recollections of the colonies. Boyal Hotel, West Maitland, August 16, 1888. PUBLIC MEETING.

In the evening a public meeting was held for the purpose of devising means to raise a memorial stone over the grave of the deceased. There was a very large gathering of footballers and other townsmen present, besides many members of the English team. Mr John Gillies, J.P., mayor of West Maitland, was called to the chair, and apologies were made for the absence of the Rev. Canon Tyrrell, Dr Pierce, Mr R. W. Thomson, M.L.A., Dr Russell, Dr Power, Mr James Main, and Mr A. S Browne, J.P. A committee was formed to collect subscriptions for the memorial, and after some discussion the mayor said he proposed handing to the team a letter of sympathy on bohalf of the townspeople. Taking advantage of the presence of Mr Lillywhite, Mr Gillies, addressing that gentleman, said : Mr Lillywhite, as mayor of the town, I have written a letter of sympathy with the team and the relatives of him whose body we have this afternoon laid in the grave. I took the liberty of doing so without convening a meeting of the council. There was not time for that, but I saw several of the aldermen, and found that they approved the step I purposed to take. Unmistakeably the sympathy of the people of Maitland generally is with you and your team in the loss you have sustained. The letter reads as follows : — Council Chambers, West Mainland, August 16, 1888. The Members of the English Football Team,

Gentlemen, — I beg very respectfully to convey to you my sincere regret at the sad accident which occurred here yesterday, and which resulted in the death by drowning of your genial and deservedly respected captain.

It had been my pleasure to see him marshalling and commanding his men in the field on the occasion of the match with our local team on the day previous, and I was much gratified with his manly, geaerous bearing, highly indicative of genuine British generosity and gentlemanly characteristics.

Little did I think at the time that within a few hours his fine active form would be passive and silent in death, and iv such sad circumstances.

As a lover of the game, especially when carried out in that manly spirit displayed by your team in this colony, I cannot say how sorry I am at your loss ; but trust you will permit me to couvey to you my profoundest regret at the calamity, and assurance of my deepest

sympathy with you in your loss, and beg that you will not only accept the same yourselves, but be pleased to do me the favour of conveying my expressions of sympathy to his relations and' sorrowing friends in the dear Old Country. On behalf of the residents of West Maitland, I am, gentlemen, yours very sincerely, John Gillies, Mayor. This I present to you, Mr Lilly white, as from the people of West Maitland.— (Hear, hear.) I tru3t, sir, it will tend in some measure to assuage the grief of those whom the late Mr Seddon has left behind. Mr Lillywhite said that he was quite sure there could beno better evidence of the sympathy of the people of Maitland than what they had seen that day, and he would have much pleasure in forwarding the letter to the friends of the deceased, as a proof of the kindness and sympathy of the residents of Maitland. Dr Smith, of the English team, also spoke of the sympathy shown by the Maitland people, and said that when the news came to them in Newcastle of the sad death of their late comrade it was one of the greatest shocks they had received in their lives. If they had been at Home they could not have found better friends in the sad affliction which had befallen them. A subscription list was opened, and headed by the mayor, who gave £3 3s oq behalf of his firm. The sum of £30 was subscribed in the room. The Mayor suggested that before the meeting separated the gentlemen assembled ought to pass a vote of thanks to Mrs Hodgson, the genial proprietress of the Royal Hotel, for her noble conduct during the last two days in connection with the funeral arrangements. Th/at lady, whose kindness of heart was so well known, had manifested true womanly sympathy and affection. Mrs Hodgson could not have shown more consideration if it had been her own relative who was lying dead. — (Hear hear.) Dr Smith said he had intended to refer to that matter, and the mayor had taken the words out of his mouth. He could bear out all that Mr Gillies had said. He felt sura that if poor Bob Seddon had died in his own country he could not have been batter looked after. It was decided to act on the mayor's suggestion.