THE LATE PREMIER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 143, 18 June 1906, Page 6

THE LATE PREMIER.

The president of the United Friendly Societies' Council (Mr. A. Leigh Hunt) has sent a message to the Hon. Mr. HallJor.es, conveying "the heartfelt and fratti 1 regret of the many thousands of members at the untimely demise" of Mr. Seddon. The message adds: "We are proud to think that one who so indelibly ongraved his name on the scroll of fame and history was a friendly society member." A very large number of telegrams have been received at the Royal Oak Hotel booking accommodation for Mayors, Act-ing-Mayors, Town Clerks, and councillors from all ports of the colony -ivho intend taking put ir the Premier's funeral. Officers of friendly societies are requested by notice elsewhere to arrange for the attendance of all members at the funeral of the Premier. A full attendance is requested. 6ir ooseph Ward, who is to leave London next Wednesday week, 27th inst., will reach Auckl md via ban Francisco on July 30th and be in Wellington on the following evening. The tir^t question shouted to the Health Officer's tug as she ranged alongside the steauier Athenic this morning was: "When is Mr. Seddon to be buried?" It is now stated -oa reliable authority that neither Captain Seddon, eldest eon of the late Piemier, nor Mr T. Y. Seddon, second son, wijj contest the seat rendered vacant by the death of their father. Captain Seddon, it is represented, has no desire to enter political life, and Mr. T Y % Seddon is said to be desirous of continuing his law course without interruption. In this case, Mr. Michel, Muyor of Hokitika, will no doubt be a candidate. The Te Aute-Wanganui College Trusts Commission has returned to Wellington. A (sitting was held in the Supreme Court Buildings this morning, when Judge Kettie, and Messrs. Lee, and Ngata were the members of the commission present. This morning the barometer was fairly high throughout New Zealand, and the air was mild at practically all stations. Auckland headed the *list with 58deg in the shade, Wellington 44, Christchurch 46, Dunedin 50. Wellington had a very pleasant morning, but heavy clouds came up in the afternoon. To-day's forecast makes no reference to rain beyond "barometer probably fall in southernmost districts " Frost is said to be likely to occur to-night in all parts of the country. It has been decided that the schools in the Wellington Education Board's" district will be closed till after the funeral of Mr. Seddon. They will reopen on Friday The attention of cadets is directed to the orders that have been issued. In the New Century Hall, Kent-ter-race, last evening, Mrs. Loie Prior delivered an address to a large audience on the passing of great men. At the J close, Mr. M'Lean, the president, made feeling reference to the coiony's loss of its late Prime Minister. Not a single word of command was audible on Sunday morning when the Oswestry Grange was being berthed at the Glasgow Wharf. The pilot on board worked in conjunction with men ashore by means of a system of light signals arranged by Captain Johnston, harbourmaster, and the vessel was- handled as skilfully as if she had been berthed in daylight. Lines were run out and adjusted and the exact position the vessel had to occupy ascertained by the signalling arrangement with the greatest) of ease. No official on earth takes his duties so seriously as the Indian babu. An exchange tells this story : A babu in charge of the documents of a certain town in India found that they were being seriously damaged by rats. He wrote to the Government to provide him with weekly rations for two cats to destroy the rats. The request was granted, and the two cats were installed — one, tho larger of the two, receiving slightly .better rations than the other. All went well for a few weeks, when the supremo Government of India' received the following despatch : — "1 have the honour to inform you that the senior cat is absent without leave.. What shall I do?" The problem seemed to baffle the supreme Government, for the babu received no anower. After waiting for a few days, he sent off a proposal : "In re absentee cat. I propose tt> promote the junior cat, and an the meantime to tako into Government service a probationer cat on full rations." All members of the Engineers' Band aro requested to attend practice this evening. All butchera' shops will be oIoroc! on ' Thursday next at 11 a.m. The Wednesday half-holiday will not be observod. Messrs. E. O. Ayres and Co., qualified dispensing chemists and druggists, 90, Cuba-street, elsewhere announoo particulars of their business undor tho new management. Tho premises havo boen enlargod and mado thoroughly up-to-date as regards convenience and appearance Mr. V. Almao, hatter and mercer, 07a, Cuba-street, advertise mourning bands, gloves, hats, oto. Particulars elsewhere j It is announced that Miss Borlaeo's As* scmbly is postponed till 27th inst., and that the Tuesday clats will not tako place this week. The ground floor of premiiei in Cubaitraet are adyartiwd to Ut,