THE LATE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 146, 20 June 1906, Page 3

THE LATE PREMIER.

MEMORIAL SERVICE IN ST. PAUL'S.

CHEAT COLONIAL GATHESING.

my Cabie.—Press Association.—CopyrisiL;

{ Received S.-iO a.m.)

LONDON", June 19. There will be a great gathering of Colonial a-ad ot tae general public at the geddon memorial service in St. Paul's. In the House of Commons yesterday gk H. Campbell-Bannerman said it would be unnecessary to hold a memorial service at St. Margaret's. Westminster, stBC? the service at St. Paul's Cathedral would enable members of tha House of Commons to show their respect to Mr. Seiidon. whose death they all deplored.

[St. Margaret'- Church, closely adjacent to the House of Common.-, is reaanled a* the semi-official church of the Imperial Parliament.] AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL OESEBVANCES. (Received 9.33 a.m. I SYDNEY, this day. The flags on all Government buildings will be down at "half-mast" to-morrow, the day of Mr. Seddor/- fun-'ral. MEiauUKN'E. June 19.

Ac the request of Mr. Deakin, the Commonwealth i≤ to be represented at Mr. Seddon's funeral by somw prominent public man. who will lay a wn-ath on the grave. Hγ. Deakin received a cablegram from Mr. Hall-Jones to-day, statin? that Mrs. Sediion and family are bearing up bravely, expressing gratification at Mr. Deakin'a request for information, and thanking him un behali of himself and Ministers. THE DAY OF MOURNiNG. ICEHORIAI SERVICES IN aL\ K--3_\>.'D. To-morrow Trill be observed as a day of mourning throughout il.a colony, and as the monriijful iruei;s.--i.jn leaves the Premier's late home in Molesworthstreet, Wellington, for the last restir.splace of the earthly remains, Sydney street Cemetery, services of a memorial nature will be held in every centre from the North Cape to the Bluff. In Anckland services of a special character will be celebrated in many of the churches.

The day will be observed as a partial holiday, the schools, Government offices, and Stock Exchange will be closed all day, the wholesale business and the large majority of the retail premises from cue p-m., and the remainder from 1 to 3 p-m.

At St. Matthew's Church the military memorial service will be held, ail the troops of the Auckland garrison, volunteer and Permanent Force, attending. ! The forces will parade at the Drill flail i it 1.45 p.m., will march thence to the | dmreh. The Veterans' Association and i South African Contingenters will parade I at the same hour, and will accompany | the garrison forces. His Lordship Dr. I Neligan. Senior Anglican Chaplain, will deliver an address, and the service will be conducted by the Rev. W. E. Gillam. vicar of the church. With reference to ' the memorial service the vicar asks U3 to ] state that seathoLders of St. Matthew's | will be admitted by the tower door up | to a quarter past two. This door will ! then be dosed. Representatives of puh- , lie bodies will enter by the west doors ' (Hobson-street). They are requested 1 to present their cards, showing what body they represent, to the officers in attendance. Sidesmen will then conduct : them to their allotted seats. Representatives are asked to enter before 2.15. The troops will be seated by 2.1-3, and the genera] public will then be admitted. cr gy> choristers, vestry and sidesmen only can enter by the <"rypt door. The public school cadet-5 will parade at ' the Normal School, Wellesley-street. at i 1-45 p.m.. and will march to St. Paul's, j where a service of a precisely similar i •'luraeter to that at St. Matthew's will ; '•» held, the Yen. Archdeacon Calder and j : h<; Rev. Caaon Nelson conducting. The j 1 umbined St. Paul's, St. Sepulchre's and I -ill Saint's choirs, under the conductor- J ship of D r . Thomas, will render the i musical portion ot the service.

An impressive service has bppn ar- • ranged by the Auckland Ministers' Asso- i oation. to he held in the Baptist Taber- ' naele. Upper Queen-street, the Rev. ! Joseph. Clark, pastor of the Tabernacle. ; presiding. A motion ot condolence will I be moved- by the Rev. A. North and sec- j ouded by the Rev. J. Wiikins. ami other i members of th- Minister-" Association 1 w iU_take part. The Uyirns to be sun? ( are -Q God;, our Ui-Ip ,n ages past,"' I •"Peace. Perfect Pea,.-"" -Now the La-I tourer's Task is OVr/ , aad ••Rcx-k of; Ages." A lament un the bagpipes will ac piayed by J. \V. Emslie, late : ot the Black W.ueh. Brief addresses' will be crh-en by the chairman and the! Keys. VV. Graf-Dixon and Geo. Bond, die prayt?re will be led by the Revs, i ±.F. Rothwell. W. Day. G. B." Monro, T. w. Newbold and R. F. Macnicol. Miss | '■ Ellingham will a sacred solo, and I tne service will conclude with the "Dead [ in "Saul."" Mr J. H. Wells will Preside at the organ, and Mr A. J. Hall conduct the choir. Tae Rev. Pojbbi Goldstein will conduct ! * service at th,j Jewish Synagogue at! —M pjn.

The Cathedral bell at St. Patrick's | at ft n Catho ~ c Cathedral will be tolled \ I lms Of the funeral - -o #~f Se <i<ion was formerly Grand Master • ttie Sew Zealand Constitution of reasons, and a combined Masonic v"? ce _,. wil l be held in the Pitt street Church. All the lodges in the aervi T^ StriCt will take P in the -vice The service will be conducted X L 6T - Y - W - Bro - J- A - Luxford, the "tt-atreet Church choir being in charge bJr """seal part of the service. The of the hall will be reserved for the bre threu. and the galleries for asap J!? eral Public. The brethren will S ! at the VVe3lev HalJ - marching \ I^U° the chttrch -' Grand c Street w Church the Bro O SZC. R.W. ■tonicV*!?" ,180 " , " riU the MaA Lnw rcn - *** vvv - Bro - Key. J. °I ' Grand Chaplain, will j Ero vc % whoiU congregation R.W. ! 2ll «ter T r' Ret *' ProrinciaJ Grand j and v'tp Will raad the first lesson, | *.w. Bro. Ray. c. j. Macfarland,|

Past District Grand Chaplain, E.C the second lesson. At the close of the" serDead March" from and then grand honours will be given before the brethren lorm in procession and return to the Wealey Hall. The Friendly Societies (Mr Sedcfcn was an for 30 yeaTs) will hold a lie-ted service m the Choral Hall at 2.30 p.m. The Rev. Canon Mac Murray will conduct the service, and Mr Leslie Hunt will preside at the organ The following Orders will assist:— Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. National Independent Order of Oddfellows, Foresters Druids. H.A.C.B. Society. Reehabites and Protestant Alliance.

The members of all friendlv societies are requested to attend the "service at the Choral Hall in memory of their late distinguished brother. The Bight Hon. B. J. Seddon was a financial member of ope of the lodges of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows on the West Coast, and one of his last official acts in New Zealand was to leave for the consideration of the Friendly Societies' Conference (meeting a few days after his departure for Australia") his annuity scheme for the lodges whose funds may be depleted by long continued sickness of the old members It seems peculiarly fitting that the friendly societies should hold a memorial service, and a. lar«*e attendance is confidently expected. In addition to the hyirins. some solos fitting to the occasion will be sung by wellknown amateurs. Mr E. 0. Black, of the Central Mission, who was born in Kumara, and whose father was one of Mr Seddon's first committee, will deliver the address at the Friendly Societies' memorial service. The insurance and legal offices and the Municipal Chambers will be closed tomorrow in common with the Government Departments and the Stock Exchange. A memorial service is to be held at Coromandel on Thursday afternoon. All post and telegraph" offices (except Wellington, which closes from 1.30 to 5 p.m.) will now close from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Mr. Stallworthy. the member for Kaipara, was a passenger by the Barawa to New Plymouth yesterday afternoon. He is the bearer of a very handsome wreath, of everlasting flowers, suitably cased in glass, and bearing the inscription. "With deepest sympathy. From Northern Wairoa, Kaipara." In respect for the memory of the late Premier, the weekly parade of the bluntly volunteers on Thursday was adjoarr.ed, Capt Elliot making brief refer-"-nce to the loss the Empire and the colony hjJ sustained through tbe tragically bidden death of the Defence Minister. On Sunday feeling references were made from all tbe pulpits at Huntly to the life and labours of the deceased statesman, the ""Dead March" being played while the congregations remained reverently standing. A parade of the volunteers and the public school cadets has been called for Thursday at 2 o'clock, when an in memoriam service will take place. The usual fortnightly parade of the Huntly volunteer corps which falls on Thursday night, has been cancelled. The Mayor of Waihi (Mr Thos. Gilmour) left last night for Wellington to represent Waihi at the Premier's funeral. A public funeral service will be conducted here on Thursday. The local bodies and friendly .societies will take part. A memorial service will take place to-morrow at half-past two in the Birkenliead Methodist Church, when the fiev. G. b. Cooke will officiate. The Albert-street firebell -will be tolled at minute intervals 61 times (corresponding with the Premier's age), commencing at 2.30 pjn. The municipal borcugh council offices will close all day to-morrow. The fire bell will toll from 2 to 2.30 pan.

RAILWAY ARRANGEMENTS.

The Railway Department employees will be granted a holiday wherever "possible, consistent with the safe observance of the ordinary time-table, which. of course, must bf> continued in the interests of. the general public. We have received n lvrter fr*>m "Navvy Tom" complaining that the casual hajide and others in the railway duplication works were not to be granted an opportunity of attending the memorial services, but the writer was misinformed. The duplication works and railway workshops will be closed all day, the railway goods sheds throughout the colony will close from noon, and all other employees who can be spared will be relieved from duty for the day.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON", this day. Arrangements for the funeral of the late Premier have been completed on the lines detailed in yesterday's telegram. When the head- of the cortege reaches the top of Sydney-street the coffin will be removed from the heavy gun carriage, and placed on a gun carriage of lighter construction, which will be hauled up to the grave by men from H31.3. Encounter.

Minute guns (til in uumber) will be tired from Xiiahauranga buttery. The main lobby in Parliament Buildings has beer, set apart for the display of numerous wreaths, which have been sent to the late Premiers family from all parts of the colony. They are being arranged on stands, classified into provincial districts, and among them are included some remarkably fine specimens of the dorist's art. The number sent id being increased every hour, and it looks as if even the accommodation of the lobby will not be sufficient.

Many members of the Legislature are already here to attend the funeral, and others are arriving daily. Representatives of almost every public institution in the colony are coining to Wellington to pay a last tribute to the deceased statesman. ( By TelegTaph. —Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The town is a chaos of preparation for to-morrow's ceremony. Visitors are pouring in from all part 3 of the colony. There has been no alteration made in the arrangements, which are now practieallv completed, but it is realised that the "route is far too short to permit the populace to view the procession. Over 700 wreaths and floral tributes are now on view in the big lobby of the House of Representatives, making a magnificent collection. The body will be removed to Parliament House in the morning. A number of special constables are being sworn in to assist in maintaining order. Little or no business is being transacted, and it will be an intense relief to the whole community when the last sad rites are over. It "would have been the family's wish to have had the funeral a quite ceremony, but this was, of course, impossible.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association- ,

CRRISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

At two o'clock on Thursday afternoon the massed bands will play the "Dead. March" in Victoria Square, when the Mayor of Chris tehurch (Sir John Hall) will give an address. A memorial service, conducted by the Bishop of Christchurch, will be held in the Cathedral at half-past two, and at the same hour a military service of an undenominational character will be held in the King Edward Barra-cka. SYMPATHETIC REFERENCES. The Waiuku School Committee passed unanimously a resolution expressive of regret in the loss of Mr Seddon as Minister of Education; also that a vote of condolence and sympathy be sent to Mrs Seddon. It»was also resolved that out of respect for the late Premier the five schools in the district be closed on the day of the funeral, and flags hoisted to half-mast.

The following resolution was carried by the City Schools Committee last evening, "That the Auckland City Schools Committee do place on record its deep sense of the grievous loss the colony has sustained by the death of the Eight Hon. Richard John Seddon. Minister for Education and Prime Minister of New Zealand, and its high appreciation of the distinguished services rendered by him to the people of thLs country and the cause of education. That on Thursday, the 21st inst.. the day of the burial of the late Premier, the city schools be closed a≤ a day of mourning. And further, that a letter be sent to Mrs Seddon and her family, expressing the committee's profound sympathy with them at their sudden sad bereavement."

The Eden Terrace Road Board, at its meeting last night, resolved as follows:

—"That this Board desire to place on record its heartfelt sympathy and condolence with Mrs Seatlon and her family in the loss they and the country have sustained by the death of the late Premier, who, apart from political differences, has evidenced by his life that he was such a one that take him for all in all we never shall look upon his like again.' . The clerk was instructed to forward the resolution by telegraph, and also to close the office on the day of the funeral. At the conclusion of the monthly meeting of the Newton Band of Hope last night the City Mission Band played the "Dead March" out of respect to the memory of the Premier. All present stood. At last night's meeting of the committee of the Auckland Wednesday Union feeling reference was u.ade to the death of the Premier, and the secretary was instructed to convey to Mrs. Seddon the Union's sympathy in her sad bereavement. Out of respect to the memory of the late Premier, all matches of the Wednesday Union were suspended to-day.

At the quarterly meeting of Court Nil Desperandum, Ancient Order of Forest era, last night, a motion of sympathy with Mrs Seidon and family waj placed on record, and it was resolved that, members of the Court should attend the friendly societies' memorial service to-morrow. HUNTLY, this day. A large public meeting convened by Mr J. P. Bailey, chairman of the Huntly Road Board, was held in the Volunteer Hall last night for the purpose of considering the best means of observing the day of Mr Seddon's funeral. The chairman eulogised the work of the deceased and moved that the following resolution be forwarded to the Premier: "We. the residents of Huntly, in public meetingassembled, beg to place on record our sense of the deep loss the Empire utid the colony has sustained in the tragically sudden death of the late Premier, who spent his. strenuous life in endeavouring to ameliorate the condition of his fellow colonists; that we appreciate his magnificent services, and request you to convey to the sorrowing widow and bereaved family the sincere condolences of the residents of Huntly. who also mourn with them in the hour of their sad tribulation. , ' The motion was carried unanimously, all silently standing. It was decided to hold a memorial service in the Volunteer Hall on Thursday, the clergymen of various denominations taking part. The Rev. Mr Beck will be in charge. The Huntly school children, cadets, volunteers, band, Freemasons, representatives of local bodies, Miners' Union, various other institutions and residents will meet in the school playground and march to the hall. A committee has been formed, with Captain Elliott marshal. The mines will be closing s.ll day, and the stores and brickworks from one o'clock.

MEETING AT DEVONPORT.

SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCE. A public meeting of the residents of Devonport was held in the Foresters' Hall last evening, in order to express the sympathy and condolences of the borough at the untimely death of the late Premier. The Borough Council adjourned as a mark of respect, and the members were present at the meeting, which was presided over by Mr E. W. Alison. Mayor. The chairman said that in moving a motion of sympathy and condolence they were all aware a great sorrow had fallen upon the people of Xev." Zealand by the sudden and untimely death of the Prime Minister, who had guided the destinies of the colony for over 13 years. When the distressing- intelligence was announced a profound emotion of sorrow pervaded the whole of the people. There was a unanimous feeling that a great man, the most notable statesman that Australasia had ever produced, had passed away. The news caused a great shock, for when he left New Zealand for Australia he was a hale man. robust and viaorous. During the weeks he was in Australia he worked with that characteristic energy and ability which was one of the features of his whole life. He left Sydney to return to "God's own country," but it was written that he should not return alive, and on the broad ocean he passed away in the zenith of his fame. He had had the privilege of Mr Seddon's friendship for many years, and as a member of Parliament had had special opportunities of observing his qualities and abilities. He ■was a man of remarkable energy, perseverance, and strength of will, bold and determined, far-seeing, a keen judge of character, and full oi resourcefulness, and quite a genius in interpreting the current of political events and move-, ments. and keenly sensitive to the ruling forces; a man of marked and masterful personality, of commanding figure, big in body and big in mind; a man of great mental endowments, a bold and dangerous adversary, and hard fighter, and when necessary a hard hitter. The success which marked his career and his political achievements would cause his name to be held in remembrance as one of the most notable figures in colonial politics in any part of the Em-

pire. "WMIe he differed with Mr Seddon on many party questions he was pleased to remember that this had made no difference in their social intercourse, tha.t party differences were forgotten outside the Chamber. Hβ moved: "That this public meeting of the residents of Devonport expresses its profound sorrow at the sudden and untimely death of the Eight Hon. R. J. Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and desires to record its appreciation of the great and renowned services, he has rendered to the colony during hia long and distinguished career; and further desires to offer its heartfelt sympathy with Mrs Seddon and family in the bereavement so suddenly fallen upon them, and tenders to them its most sincere expression of codolence in their great grief and irreparable loss."' This was seconded by Mr Time we 11, and carried in silence, the people standing. FRIEND OF THE NATIVE RACES. ILELBOUHNE, June 19. Amongst the many resolutions of sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and New Zealand adopted by public- bodies in Victoria is one by the Board for the Protection of Aborigines. The resolution of this body says it wishes to show admiration for Mr. Seddon's great work for the protection and just treatment of the Maoris. The resolution specially mentions Mr. Seddon as the humane friend of the native races. ME. JUSTICE COOPER'S TRIBUTE. (By Telegrapn.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday. Before adjourning, the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Cooper, in announcing that the Court would be closed on Thursday, the day of the late Premiers funeral, said:— "l wish to add that 1 personally regret very much that the state of public business here will not permit of my attending the funeral of the late Mr. Seddon, and paying a last tribute of respect to his memory.'-' After expressing regret that he had not had a previous opportunity of referring from the Bench to Mr. Seddon's death, his Honor said he echoed the expressions of admiration for Mr. Seddon'a past career, and the sense of loss which the nation and community had suffered in his death, which had been announced from time to time by everybody, from His Majesty the King down to the smallest society in the colony. Mr. Seddon's loss was a national loss and a colonial loss also.

MORE RECOLLECTIONS OP MR SEDDOX. HIS LAST DAY IN MELBOURNE. (Special to the "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Mr Donald MeKinnon. the well-known Victorian politician, writing from Melbourne on June 13th to the editor of the "Lyttelton Times/ gives some interesting particulars of Mr Seddon's hu=t days in Australia. After referring to gome political question*, he says: —

"'My immediate object in writing, however, is to express to you as a leading New Zealaader how deeply grieved 1 am at Mr Seddon's death. 1 saw <i good deal of him while he was here. He has died, if not full of years, at bast full of honours. Ho hail a splendid reception in these States, but he obviously took coo much out of himself. For instance, the last day he was here (Friday last) he had lunch with the Labour Party and made a long speech. He the a'went out for nearly an hour in a motor-car to see some friends. Ho got back at 4 p>.m. and came round in his car with mc to the Melbourne Club. He had a look over the club, had a few words with our celebrated surgeon, Sir Thomas Fits gerald, and other members, and rushed off to an engagement with Sir Wm. Lyne. At .5.5 p.m. he was in the Sydney express. While xt the club he ran up a set of stairs about 25ft. hijrh like a boy. and it was remarked at the time aa a wonderful feat for a man of Ids weight and years. I heard several of his speeches here, and have read them all. I feel thrtt for us his visit has done a great deal of good. He met all classes of the community, and was honoured by all. evpn among those who were formerly intolerant of his political views and aims. He left the impression that perhaps he was right and they were wrong. His obvious earnestness was very impressive."

THE MEMORIAL SERVICES.

(To the Editor.) Sir. —I notice with very much regret that the Master Drapers' Association have thought fit to request the master drapers to close their shops but for one hour on the day of the Premier's funeral. I understand that this derision was arrived at after consulting the members of the Executive Committee only of the association, and feel convinced that had the general members bsen asked for their opinion on the iubject, a much more suitable recognition ox a great event would have been decided upon. Without wishin? to trespass too much upon your valuable space, I may say that when the Mother Country has honoured the memory of the Premier by a memorial service in Jst. Paul's—an honour unique in the history of our colony—l feel that the Xew Zealan.lers can do is to pay the highest tribute of esteem possible in a like direction. Under the c-ircuai-stan-ees. though loath to act at variance with the members of our Executive Committee, I cannot do otherwise than add my small quota of veneration to the memory of one who has done more for our country than any statesman who had graced the halls of Parliament and will close my premises all day on Thursday. I may possibly be accused of seeking a gratuitous advertisement in acting thusly, but if so. the onus of blame lies with the Drapers' Association, who, to my mind, have so failed to rise to a great occasion.—l am, etc., GEORGE COURT.