YESTERDAY'S NEWS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4911, 13 June 1906, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S NEWS.

The following was issued by us yesterday as an extra : — | (Received 11, 4.7 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 11. Complaining of tiredness Mr Seddon "did not rise till about noon yesterday. During the afternoon he appeared languid ami was apparently suffering from a slight stomach trouble but nothing serious was anticipated. The end came with terrible suddenness. He was seized with faintroess awl gradually became uns<»scious.. . Tso doctor was called '

aitd remedies applied but all wcru unavailrng and ho died m Mrs Seddon's arms. After consultation it was decided to return to Sydney and th« vessel's head was turned thitherward. Mrs Seddon is bearing I up well. Messages of condolence pouring in from all quarters, includ. imr the Governor-General, the State Governor and Sir W. lyne on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. It is expected that the body will be embalmed in time for the Oswcstry Grange to resume her voyairc at six tennigh-t. (Received, 11. 5.5 p.m.) f SYDNEY, June 11.

After lunch Mr Seddon slept for two hours and on awakening appeared greatly refreshed, excepting that once or twice he complained of pains in his shoulders which had troubled him earlier in the day. Just before dinner at six twenty he was lying on a couch fully dressed and was seen to siuk backwards in a fainting condition.* Mrs Seddon, his private secretary and Mr Row were the only persons present. Assistance was sent for but in- a few seconds afterwards Mr Seddon had breathed his last, apparently without suffering. Strict reticence was observed on arrival of the vessel at the request of Mrs Seddon, who wished first to have communication with her daughter, Mrs Dyer*. who toad returned™ to Sydney. Everywhere flags wore halfnwisted and there were general expressions of sorrow.

Mr Carruthers, who had an interview with Mr Seddon on Saturday at noon was much shocked at hearing the news. He noticed that Mr Seddon appeared tired on Saturday and asked him what sort of a trip he had through the southern States. Mr Seddon replied very good, excepting in Adelaide where he felt unwell. During this forenoon the members of Mr Seddon's staff saw Mr Carruthers and expressed Mrs Seddon's wish that there should be no public action taken 'here.

Directly he heard- the news Mr Carruthurs communicated with the Go-vernor-General and tiie State Governors, expressing the genoral fealing of sorrow that pervaded the whole community. Asked if he would say anything regarding Mr Sexklon's career Mr Carruthers repliexl — "The whole thing is such a shock, one is pretty well unnerved. To me it seems such an awful thing. Only on Saturday I went to him, shook hands, said good-bye, never thinking it was life's farewell. It is too great a shock to speak now. The loss- of

a man like Seddon at any time would be a public calamity but when it occurs uiveler circumstances like the present it is a public shock. Mr Seddon came here for rest but it was apparent to us all that he worked, very hard and probably the very strenuous life ho has been living for the* last 16 years brought about his untimely death." The evening papers published early editions with appreciative notices of the deceased statesman.