THE PREMIER’S DEATH.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 44, 12 June 1906, Page 4

THE PREMIER’S DEATH.

Died at Sea. Profound Sensation in Sydney. Suspension of Business. The Theatres Close. Sir Joseph Ward Absent. Parliament to be Adjourned. Latest Accounts. “ Calm and Peaceful as a Child.” j AUCKLAND, Monday. | The Premier of New Zealand, tin] [Right Honourable R. J. Seddon, died at] [sea yesterday while on the voyage from] [Sydney to Wellington. SYDNEY, Monday. | There was a profound sensation when] [the Sydney papers issued extras announ-] jcing Mr. Seddon’s death. The Oswestry] (Grange, with Mr. Seddon and family on (board, left port at half-past three on [Sunday afternoon. Shortly before noon [to-day the Oswestry Grange signalled [“Returning Sydney.” With flag half [mast the news was signalled that Mr. [Seddon had died suddenly. J Later particulars show that the [Premier died of heart failure.

On leaving Sydney the weather was dull. At twenty minutes to six the Premier was sitting with Mrs. Seddon in the cabin waiting for the dinner gong, when he suddenly placed his head on his wife’s shoulder, said “Oh, mother,” and expired immediately, the vessel being then 140 miles from Sydney.

Dr. Minchin, the ship’s surgeon, has given a certificate of death, due to heart failure. The body will he embalmed, and the vessel will probably resume her voyage to Wellington as soon as the (operation is completed. | The late Premier, interviewed just [prior to sailing with reference to a reciprocal treaty, said he had been able to |rcduce indirect taxation, and he believed that the Commonwealth Ministers erred on the side of caution. The cause of death was no doubt a return of the old complaint which caused his friends uneasiness twelve months AUCKLAND, To-day. All the flags are hoisted half-mast high at St. Patrick’s cathedral, and the bells were tolled also at all the other churches. Immediately Justice Edwards, who was hearing a case in camera, heard the news he adjourned the court. The Arbitration Court was similarly adjourned until to-day. The Chairman of the Stock Exchange terminated the call business, which was suspended until to-day. Frank Bullen announced the postponement of the leefure at His Majesty’s [Theatre, and there was no performance [at the Opera House last night. | All the Government offices were closed] [immediately, also the city schools, j The Hon. Caroll interviewed stated] that the Cabinet Ministers would meet] at Wellington immediately, and would] decide upon a course of action pending] the return of Sir Joseph Ward, the late [Premier’s first lieutenant. Latest advices state that Sir Joseph is stilDin London, and cannot return under five weeks.

! Parliament will meet within a couple 3of day of the appointed date, and after [the passage of the Imprest Supply will [probably be adjourned to enable the allocation of portfolios and business of the [House to be prepared. | It is probably that Mr. Seddon’s re* [mains will be brought to New Zealand | [and buried in the West Coast. AUCKLAND, To-day. | The latest account states that the] [Premier retired to his berth half-an-houii [before sailing, having spent a busy day| [and being obviously very tired. After] [his afternoon’s sleep he appeared to be| [greatly refreshed, hut in a few minutes] [he had a recurrence of the symptoms that] [had shown themselves in the morning] [but in a more aggravated form. He was| [treated by Mrs. Seddon and Mr. Andrews, [one of his private secretaries, seemingly [with good effect, for he conversed with [them on public and private matters in [which they are interested. At twentyBfive minutes to six he gave a short gasp [and collapsed. It was supposed he had [fainted and Dr. Minchin was hurriedly [summoned, but at once saw that he was [dead. There was no struggle and no [pain. The Premier was seemingly [asleep, calm and peaceful as a child. It jwas a terrible blow to Mrs. Sedaon, Miss [May Seddon and Stewart Seddon. | Strict reticence was observed on the [arrival of the vessel in Sydney harbour, [at the request of Mrs. Seddon who wished jto first communicate with her daughter, [Mrs. Dyer, who had remained in Sydney, j The members of the Premier’s staff [saw Mr. Carruthers and expressed Mrs. [Seddon’s wish that no public action [should be taken. Mrs. Seddon is bearhug up well.

| The news received caused a profound [sensation in every State. All were ap[palled at the suddenness of the death, j Flags everywhere were half-mast and (the bells were tolled. SYDNEY, Monday. j The body of the late Premier is to be [embalmed and the process completed in [time to permit the Oswestry Grange to [leave for Wellington to-night. AUCKLAND, To-day. His Excellency has received letters of [condolence from every part of the colony [and Commonwealth.

It «eem« an utter absurdity that such news as that of the death of the Premier should be kept from the public when it was well known. The Cable Station staff were aware of the Premier’s death at 11 a.m. yesterday, but the information was not given to the general public till we received our special wire at 2 p.m. Regulations which require such silence are absolutely absurd. We are warned by Messrs. Reed and Quartley that a large number of fencing act requirements will be advertised in our next issue. We are waiting to know what the County Council are doing in connection with tike Parapara Bridge. There are many travellers who are desirous of using the Mangonui-Taipa-Awanui road, but it is now a "dangerous” thing to cross the Parapara bridge, and as it Is to be reduced to nothinyneM the public are anxious to hear that the devastation has been accomplished.