Mr. Seddon’s Funeral.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 46, 19 June 1906, Page 4

Mr. Seddon’s Funeral.

To Take Place on Thursday. Arrival of the Body. The Colony’s Mourning. WELLINGTON, Sunday. Wellington was in a state of suppressed excitement on Saturday owing to the expected arrival of the Oswestry Grange. All day thousands were on the wharves anxious to gain the first glimpse of the steamer. During the afternoon the news arrived that the steamer could not arrive before eleven at night, so the crowd dispersed. The town generally is sombre and mournful. The flags of all nations are half-mast. Parliament House is 'transformed. The lower panels are draped black and surmounted with 'wreaths of ivy and weeping willows. In the main lobby stood the bier waiting for the coffin in case it was decreed that the body should lie there in state on Sunday.

The Oswestry Grange reached Wellington at ten o’clock, but it was just on midnight before she came alongside the wharf. Thousands still awaited the steamer, notwithstanding the late hour. Mrs. Seddon with other members of the family came down the gangway. The widow was weeping convulsively, requiring the support of her two eldest sons. She entered a cab and was driven away. The Premier’s remains were conveyed to a hearse and driven to the residence in Molesworth-street.

Members of the Ministry and Parliament went on board to see the body, which lay in the saloon. The expression on the face was peaceful and very lifelike. Twelve artillerymen acted as bearers from the steamer to the hearse, preceded by Mr. Hall-Jones. The coffin was covered with the New Zealand ensign and the hearse with the Union Jack. The guns of H.M.S. Encounter fired a salute of twenty guns, and the Post Office bell commenced tolling.

It has been decided that the remains will be interred at Wellington on Thursday, at half-past two. The Admiralty had ordered the H.M.S. Encounter to proceed outside the heads to meet the Oswestry Grange and escort the vessel to the wharf. The Encounter left Wellington early on Friday evening, on the look-out for the steamer outside the heads. The conditions of the night were unfavourable, and the Oswestry Grange reached port without being picked up by the Encounter. Wireless communication was established, enabling the Encounter to follow time to fire the salute. AUCKLAND, To-day. The City Council requests the citizens to observe Thursday as a day of mourning. The [Albert-street firebell will be tolled at the hour of the funeral, and a militaiy church parade and church services are being arranged. Memorial services were preached in all the churches in Auckland on Sunday, St. Mary’s Cathedral being suitably draped for the occasion. WELLINGTON, Monday. Considerable disappointment was expressed at the announcement that there will be no public ljffig in state of the late Premier’s body. The coffin has been finally sealed, but it may be lodged with the v reaths in the lobby of Par l, 'ament House. The site for burial has been definitely fixed in the Observatory grounds, adjoining the Sydney-street cemetery, overlooking Thorndon and the Harbour, and occupying a commanding position. Special steamer and train arrangements are being made to convey visitors to Wellington. The distance from the House to the cemetery is so short that an extended route is being arranged for the procession, which will go from Parliament House to the Cathedral, thence by Pipitea-street to Thorndon Quay, thence up Bowen-street to the cemeteiy. There will be a large volunteer display, ;Deluding 800 cadets. The Maoris are holding a large tangl. Wreaths and other floral tributes are pouring in from everywhere and are being massed together in the lobby of Parliament House.