PRESENTATION TO MRS SEDDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 126, 29 May 1901, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MRS SEDDON.

A BIRTHDAY SOUVENIR

TRIBUTE FROM THE WEST COAST

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day

Yesterday afternoon was made the occasion, of a very nice and appropriate presentation to Mrs Seddon, wife of the Premier, as a souvenir of her birthday. All the members of the Ministry, with the exception of Mr Carroll, who is on his way to Rotorua, attended the function, which took place at the Ministerial residence. All the domestic circle and several prominent West Coasters were also among those who participated in the affair. The gift came to Mrs Seddon quite unexpectedly, and as the notice was necessarily brief, the attendance was limited to those above-mentioned. The Hon. J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, read the address, which was as follows :~

'Hokitika, Westland, May 28th, 1901

"To Mrs K. J. Scddon, Wellington. '•Our dear Mrs Seddon: On behalf of the people of the WestTand constituency, a district which has for so many years been represented in Parliament "by your honourable and esteemed husband, we desire to convey to you heartfelt congratulations on this, the occasion of your birthday, and to wish you in the fullest sense of the words, 'Many happy returns of the day.' You have in so many ways endeared yourself to the people of Westland, that you will be gratified to learn that when this presentation was moved, there was a-ready wish to co-operate on all sides. Perhaps your many acts of kindness to individuals, particularly in regard to incidents connected with the war in South Africa, more than anything- created this spontaneous expression of sincerest regard and esteem. In how tnany ways you have acted with a motherly feeling to our boys when departing, to the relatives and friends in the hour of supreme trial or to the gallant, lads when returning, it would be difficult to enumerate. We know that the cases are legion, and many of your friends who have the personal experience of your interest were among the first to join in the pleasurable opportunity of recognising your kind and genero-us effort. Your close personal regard for the health and happiness of your distinguished husband has at all times commanded our respect and admiration, and we also fully recognise how loyally you have at all times assisted the Right Hon. the Premier in the aim and object of his great work, to improve the cotir dition and uplift the people of New Zealand. We need not say with what feeling's of gratification we heard of Mr Seddon's improvement in health, or of your daughter's recovery from a recent serious illness. Your concern and interest were of course natural, but knowing your intense devotion to your family we can readily believe that you must have experienced a period of great suspense. We are glad that anxious time has passed, and most heartily indeed do we offer our congratulations to you and yours. 'We are also pleased at the opportunity of referring to the bearing of your gallant son in South Africa, where he has so readily remained to assist in fighting the battles of the Empire. His self-sacrifice in remaining, though the opportunity of returning offered, seemed to show that he has caught the spirit of his father, who has so publicly declared and demonstrated his desire to uphold the unity and integrity of our nation. This, combined with his promotion to a captaincy, and his special desire to remain with the New Zealanders, though tempting offers of staff appointments were made, are incidents noted in his career, and we join with what will be your own wish, his safe and early return to the land of his birth. In conclusion, we can only say that the old times of friendship on the West Coast are more firmly bound, to you than ever, the marked interest you have always displayed in the welfare of Westland and its people ever remind us of your personal regard, and that warm feeling is most heartily reciprocated. As some slight expression of the high esteem in which you are held we ask you to accept the accompanying present of gold procured from Seddon's Terrace, Westla.nd, the gift of the people, as emblematic of the golden opinions in which you are held. Wishing you and yours the brightest of futures, and trusting that, as in the past, we shall have frequent opportunity of seeing ytm amongst us enjoying in common with yemr family the best of good health, which after all is the brightest gift of all. On behalf of thfr subscribers we have the honour to remain your admiring friends.

"H. L. Michel (Chairman Presentation Committee); S. Holmes (Hon. Treasurer); D. Lynch, D. Evans (Joint Hon. Secretaries.)"

Mr Ward added that he had received a separate telegram advising that the nugget, which was being forwarded through the bank, weighed between 40 and 50 ounces of gold.

Mrs Seddon, who was visibly affected, said that anything she had done for the West Coast people she had done cheerfully, and never at any time in the expectation of receiving anything like the present in return.

The following reply was read by Miss Seddon:

"H. Michel, Esq., Hokitika: The Hon. ,7. G. Ward has just made me the handsome present so kindly sent on my birthday. My first thought is to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their thoughtful and generous address. The people of the West Coast were ever warm-hearted, and with them ray happiest days have been spent, and cherished associations have been formed that will end only with ray life itself. What little I have done for the West Coasters has been a labour of love, and to have their heartfelt good-wishes and respect is more than a sufficient-reward. I deeply regret that you or some of the Committee could not be present, at the presentation. Again I thank you and those who have interested themselves in giving the birthday souvenir. Convey to all my kindest regards.—Jane Seddon."

The Premier entertained his visitors, it'nd several toasts -were drunk, and responded to with enthusiasm. The. Premier in replying to the toast of

"Lang Life and Happiness 1o Mrs Seddon." paid a very feeling and well-de-served tribute to Mrs Seddon as a helpmeet, and acknowledged the valuable assistance she had given Tiirn, during his political career.

The proceedings concluded with hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Seddon.