SEDDON ANECDOTES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11951, 23 May 1933, Page 5

SEDDON ANECDOTES

AfR JACKSON'S RECOLLECTIONS

WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP

Two t ales ilium mating the good ■fellowship of Richard John Seddon were related- by the Alayor (Air John Jackson) at the social in the Freesi.n Lounge last evening.

The sneaker recalled travelling with Air Seddon from Greymouth to Kuma.ra, 16 miles away. It- was a very stormy night and they were very anxious to reach their destination and change into dry clothes. When: about- a mile from Kumara, hpwever. Air Seddon noticed a light in a cottage occupied by an old ag!?i pensioner who was known as ”Okl Bill.” Ho promptly '.suggested a visit and- so* they -turned off the road, splashing through mud and soaking bushes, to the house. "Old Bill” was in bed and was utterly astounded when he saw tho famous Liberal leader. He made them wonderfully welcome and they spent some hours in the hut, to "Old Bill’s” unbounded delight. "I believe that visit- by Air Seddon added two vears to the old man’s life , commented Air Jackson, "'and he went there just because lie was a.friend.” .After th© death of Air Seddon, Air Jaokson one day related the -tale above when in Greymouth. Air Sed-do-n’-s secretary was present and ho promptly capped it- with another similar incident which occurred during they Liberal leader’s trip to Australia. An important ceremony was arranged, with a big procession of vehicles As* this moved along, a large band of wharf laborers was reached and AD Seddon suddenly recognised one of them, a man in overalls, whom he had known in the Old-’Country. Ho stopped his carriage, and got out- anc rr'reetedi tho man warmly, also asking him whether he had married “Jessie” hi s ; girl of Old Country : days. The laborer replied that ' ho; had,^ so Mr Seddon promptly sent him off m _ carriage to got "Jessie”. Tno whole procession was held up m the mcantime Back came the laborer with his wife and Air Seddon placed Km with •Mrs Seddon, while he (Air Seddon), .at with "Jessie” to talk over the old daws. The procession moved on amid amazing enthusiasm from tho other wharf laborers and Air bedfriends attended all the cove-: monies ”of that particular occasion. "Air geddoh wan not playing -o . ; K 2llorv‘”; stated Air Jackson, ‘butat las just a ease of meeting a friend