SEDDON MEMORIAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 826, 26 May 1910, Page 2

SEDDON MEMORIAL.

UNVEILED AT HOKITIKA. SPEECH BY Sin JOSEPH WABD. (By TelcEranli-Press Association.) Hokitika, May 25. Tho unveiling ceremony in connection β-itli the memorial to tho Into Mr. Seddou eventuated this afternoon, in tho presence of a fairly largo gathering. The heavy rain in tho morning Militated against the attendance. ' The school cadets were well represented, over a total of 200 being present from lioefton, Greymouth, Cobden, and Hokitika districts. Mr. T. J. M'Quiran, chairman of the Memorial Committee, referred to tho erection of the inarblo statue of the lato Eight Hon. It. j. Seddon, who had, he said, accomplished so much in the service of his country und for the Empire. Ho referred to the spontaneous manner in which the residents" of Hokitika and West Coast generally had subscribed towards tho memorial, the total cost of which amounted to about .CSSO. Sir Joseph Ward, who was greeted with applause, said it was a pleasure to be there that day as Mt. Seddon s successor to pay his respects amidst the scenes where Mr. Seddon had passed his early youth. Tho statue would serve to point out for all time that the services of a great mdn were hero commemorated. Mr. Seddon had played a great part, and had actively led public opinion, not alone in this Dominion, but in the other parts of tho Empire, he. had made his impress upon Imperial questions, and it was largely duo to him that the relations between the Home Country and the overseas Dominions were put on a broader basis of mutual protection. It was a wonderful record, which was due to strenuous and hard work. His close application, strenuous exertion, and indefatigability would serve as a fine example to tho younger generation. Other parts of the Dominion had some tangible evidence of their respect, but Hokitika was tho first - to havo a complete statue. He desired to thank the "West Coasters both hero and elsewhere for tho ready response they bad given to tho appeal to commemorate Mr. Scddon's memory. In this connection ho wished also to refer to Mr. Parkinson, tho. contractor, who, they all would recognise, had carved a splendid likeness of the deceased. Sir Joseph Ward then gave a brief history of Mr. Seddon's career. Mr. Seddon, he said in conclusion, had died too soon owing to his strenuous work, leaving a widow and famiiv. Tho statue was no compensation for the loss of a husband and father, but it would prove a source of satisfaction ' to them. It showed tho finer sido of human nature when those living recognised the worth of those who had died. On behalf of the donors ho asked Mr. Michel, the Mayor of Hokitika, for himself and his successors to receive the statue, and to take caro of it. He trusted and felt sure that caro would be talcen of it, and that tho Mayor would accept the caro and responsibility of its preservation. It was appropriate that the flags used on this occasion wero those used a few months ago at the ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and that Mrs. Morico was present on both Sir Joseph Ward then* unveiled tho statue, the Territorials presenting arms. Mr. Michel, Mayor of Hokitika, said he accepted the trust on behalf of tho borough of Hokitika, by whom the statue would bo properly taken caro of both now and in the days to come. (Applause.) Mr. T. E.'Y. Seddon, M.P., briefly thanked tho people of the West Coast who had so generously subscribed to the -' fund for tho erection of the statue. Cheers were then given for the King, the Prime Minister, Mrs. Seddon, the ! chairman (Mr. D. J. Evans), tho stcrotary, and Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon.