OBITUARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 937, 14 February 1890, Page 2

OBITUARY.

THE LATE MR. W. SEED. Although not quite unexpected, the news of the death of Mr William Seed yesterday morning week cast quite a gloom over the town. The flag at the Corporation Buildings and those on the ships in harbour were hoisted half-mast high when the news became known, and the one topic of Conversation was the life arid death of a well and widely-known old colonist. For some months past Mr Seed had been in ill-health, suffering from a complication of diseases, and his decease was expected almost at any time. Some few months after he sank into a very low state, and his death was hourly expected, but with care herevived, and was for a time able to take outdoor exercise ; but his disease had such a strong hold on him that his strength gradually faded away, and death c*me yesterday morning week. Mr Seed was well known all over the Colony from his connection with the Civil Service, especially in the Customs and Marine Departments. He arrived in the Colony at a very early age, with his parents, in November, 1840. In 1846 he took employment under Colonel Wakefield, of the old New Zealand Company, which office he held till January, 1851, when he was transferred to the staff of the then Governor, Sir George Grey. In 1858 he entered the Customs Department, and rapidly rose in the service. Afterward he became private secretary to Sir George Grey on that gentleman’s return to this Colony. In 1863 he was appointed Under-Secretary of the Defence Department. In 1865, when the seat of Government was removed to Wellington, Mr Seed became Collector of Customs in this port, and afterward he became permanent head, and had control of the Marine Department. In this office he remained until he retired into private life. Mr Seed at various times was entrusted with special public duties. He was a member of the Civil Service Commission in 1866, and in 1868 he acted as a member of the Royal Commission to inquire into the system of keeping the necessary accounts. In 1870 he made a trip to Samoa, and furnished a report on his ■ visit. In 1875 he visited Great Britain, and made a series of inquiries into the system of English lighthouses. With the exception of Mr G. S. Cooper, he was the senior officer in the public service. About two years ago Mr Seed became a member of the City Council for Lambton ward, but his ill health caused him to relinquish his public duties a few months ago. Tie was a man of great energy and intelligence, and his word was his bond. He served his country true and well, and his death is not only a loss to his immediate friends, but to the Colony at large. Mr Seed was twice married, his first wife being a daughter of Mr J. Cock, an old settler of Makara. His second wife, who survives him, is a daughter of Mr G. Allen, an old identity, and he leaves a grown up family. Before proceeding to transact any business at the meeting of the City Council last week, Councillor Smith stated that he had been requested by a number of the City Councillors tomove thatthe Council should adjourn out of respect to the memory of their late colleague, Mr Seed, who had departed from them that day. He had actually died in harness, and he thought they should show their respect by adjourning the meeting. Councillor Seed during his term of office had initiated some very necessary reform in the Council, and if his health had permitted he would have been a very useful member of the Council. Councillor Smith then formally moved thatthe Council adjourn until Monday night. Councillor Brandon seconded the motion. He was sure that all Councillors would very much regret that Councillor Seed’s illness which had taken him from the citizens was the cause of his leaving the Council at the commencement of what promised to be a serviceable career. The motion was carried, and the Council then adjourned until the next Monday evening.

A very large number of citizens availed themselves of the opportunity of paying a last tribute to the memory of the deceased by following his mortal remains to the grave on Sunday. The funeral was a and among the mourners were Sir William b ox, the Mayor and ex-Mayor and several members of the City Council, and nearly all the leading citizens and Government officials. The funeral service was impressively conducted by the Rer Mr Waters, incumbent of St Peter’s, and the coffin, as it was lowered into the grave, was literally covered with wreaths of flowers.