Death of Mr Seddon.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2336, 18 June 1906, Page 5

Death of Mr Seddon.

At the time of ouv lust Kmc tlic o

news that had arrived in the colony was the have announcement that tlio Premier had died suddenly on board the Oswestry Grange shortly after that vessel laid loft Sydney for Auckland. Since then lull particulars of his sudden death have come to hand. . . Complaining of feeling tired, Mr Seddon did not rise till noon on Sunday. During the afternoon he appeared languid, and was apparently suffering from slight stomach trouble, but nothing serious was anticipated. The end came y ilh tembic suddenness. He was seized with faintness and gradually became unconscious. Ihe doctor was called and remedies applied but all unavailing, and the 1 i cmier died in 'Mrs Seddon’s arms. Alter consultation, it was decided to return to Sydney, and this was done and the sad news announced. Widespread sorrow has been telt throughout the whole colony since the sad news became known and messages of sympathy and condolence have pouied in from all quarters, both to the members of the deceased statesman's family and the rest of the Ministry, included amongst these being cables from no less personages than King Edward and Queen Alexandra. The late Premier was born at St. Helens, Lancashire, on dune 22nd IS Pi. He arrived in Hokitika in ISGO and was the first Mayor of Kumara Me was elected to the House ol Ivopicscntatives in 1879, and appointed Minister in 18<31 In 1893 he was appointed Prime Minister, and in 1896, 1899, 1902 and 1905 was returned hy substantial majorities. He represented’ New Zealand at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, when lie was created a Privy Councillor. He received the degree of L.L.D. at Cambridge in 1897 and at Edinburgh in 1902. In 1904 he celebrated his 25th anniversary as a member of Parliament and last year ho was returned to Parliament as Prime Minister for the fifth term in succession, and with a world s recoid party majority. The greater portion of the measures passed under lus administration deaf with the social life of the people and in this respect his successful legislation has brought New Zealand prominently before the older countries of the world.

The following telegrams have passed between Mr B. Flannery, acting as representative for Ophir residents and the Mon. Mr Hall-Jones, Achng Premier Hon. Hall-Jones, Acting Premier, Wellington A public meeting of Ophir residents desire to express their heartfelt grief at the nows of the death of the Honourable the Premier. They beg through you to tender their condolences to the bereaved family and to express their sympathy with the Ministry on the loss of so distinguished a leader. The people hero, too, deplore the great loss the colonies sustain in the death of so distinguished and beloved a statesman. — Bryan Flannery Chairman.— Bryan Flannery Esq., Ophir.—On behalf of' Mrs Sedclon and her family and my colleagues I have to thank you for your kindly message and sympathy in their great and irreparable loss sustained by the death of your loved and honored Premier. His life was a devotion to duty and the uplifting of humanity, while his tender sympathies and wide consideration endeared him to all. His great works for the Colony and Empire will ever cause his name to be revered.—Wm. Hall-Jones. The residents of Clyde forwarded last •week letters of condolence and sympathy to the Hun. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier ana the other members of the Ministry and to Mrs Seddon and family in the great bereavement which they have sustained in the death of the late Premier. The residents of Alexandra have placed an order in Wellington for a wreath to he forwarded to the funeral of the late Premier. The wreath will hear the following inscription “ The citizens of Alex amlra mourn the nation’s loss.”

MEETING AT OPHIK. A meeting of Ophir residents! was held on Saturday to discuss the most suitable maimer of ' marking their respect to the memory of the late Premier, Mr J>. Flannery occupying the chair. Mr J. J- Ramsay moved and Mr W. R. Hasvson seconded that the clergy he reonested to hold a memorial service in each church on the day of the funeral, after •which the people will attend in the school ground and addresses will he given hy various speakers. On the motion of Messrs John 'Wilson and D. Kinney it /Was resolved that the meeting form itself into a committee to inaugurate a national testimonial, Mr McKnight to act as secretary, and inform the Acting-Premier, that this district is prepared to do its part when a proposal assumes a definite shape. It was also resolved to assemble the children on the day of the funeral and ask the Minister of Railways to close the goods shed and have the 'day observed .as a close holiday. MR MASSEY'S EULOGIUM. Mr Massey, Leader ot the Opposition, sa ; ( l . “ ] don’t think that I ever received such a shock as I experienced on receiving telegrams notifying me of the Premier’s startlingly sudden death. . . . lam glad to tliink now that though we were stvon° political opponents we were never personal enemies. Mr Seddon has died in harness at the zenith of his powers, and of him it may he said 1 A great man hath fallen this day in Israel.’ He has passed away. Our differences are over, and I can honestly say that outside the members of the family, to whom in their bereavement I extend my utmost sympathy, there arc few who will regret Mr Seddon’s death more sincerely than I do. As a matter of fact, while Mr Seddon was a good lighter and hard hitter, there was something about him which always commanded the respect and admiration even of his opponents. I knew him well ; J watched him closely for the last 12 years ; 1 differed from him on many points ; I have crossed swords with him on many occasions, hut if I were asked t > say who in my opinion was the ablest man that ever took part in the colony’s legislation ; who was the greatest man that ever occupied the position of a Minister of the Crown in this colony, my answer to both questions, and without any doubt or hesitation would hje—Richard John Seddon.”

THE EUNEKAI

The Hon. Mr Hall-.lories, ActingPremier, advises that the funeral of the late Prime Minister will take place at Wellington on Thursday, at 2.30 p.m. It has been suggested that a memorial service ho held in all parts of the colony at this hour so as to make the last tribute to Ids memory a truly national one. fn accordance with this wish the Vicar of » Duns tan Parish announced on Sunday evening that a memorial service would he jj7 St. WieliaTs €lmi*h, Clyde, at o§bcmi*bv'> * Mentioned