THE LATE MR SEDDON

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1832, 17 April 1907, Page 32

THE LATE MR SEDDON

A QUEENSLAND TRIBUTE. The family of the late Mr Seddon continue to receive tributes to his memory from various parts of the world. The latest to hand is a particularly handsome morocco album, deeply tooled, containing a beautifully etched jiortrait of the deceased statesman on satin and a poem by the wellknown Queensland poet, Mr George Essex Evans. The cover bears the inscription: “A tribute to the memory of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., from New Zealanders resident in Brisbane, Queensland.” It was forwarded through the Hon. the ActingPremier, accompanied by a letter from Mr Philip Frankel, who wrote: “As chairman of the New Zealanders resident in Queensland, who have subscribed to the tribute to the memory of our lost statesman, I take pleasure in now sending you by separate mail a memorial, which is in the form of a morocco-bound portfolio, containing on one side an etched copy of the deceased gentleman’s likeness on satin, done by an artist in Brisbane, and on the other, also printed on satin, a beautiful poem written by George Essex Evans, Queensland’s most distinguished poet. . . . We would ask you in the name of the New Zealand residents in Queensland to offer this small tribute to Mrs Seddon in token of our admiration of a great man, whose loss we deeply deplore.” The poem is as follows: AN EMPIRE’S LOSS. When from hie place a forest monarch falls, A thunder shakes the leafy leagues across, Reverberating to its utmost walls; So through an Empire rings this sound of loss. Still as of old, the kingless forest aisles We see —but miss the strength that was theii fame. So, at Death’s voice, far from his kingless isle l The last Great Tribune answers to his nam Nature, that builds great minds for mighty tarts, Sculptured his frame to match tho soul within; Taught him how wisdom wields tho power it asks; From each new conquest set him more to win. Rough-hewn was he for power, a massivo mould, Broad-brained, far-sighted, honourable, free ' From narrowing envy, with a heart of gold As wide, and deep, and dominant as the sea. He passes, hut hi- memory is power, Behind him the good that non« may stay ■ . , His name remains a beacon-liglit, a tower, By which all lesser lights may guide their way Come, let us follow him with reverent feet, With fern and rata twine the wattle fair. “Tread soft, a mighty heart has ceased to beat, And one of Nature’s Kings is sleeping there.” —GEORGE ESSEX EVANS.