THE PREMIER'S HEALTH

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 28

THE PREMIER'S HEALTH

GISBORNE, June 16.

The Hinemoa, with the Premier nboard, arrived at 1.30 this afternoon. The steamer had a rough trip through the Bay of Plenty. The party cair.e ashore this afternoon to rccuperata. Air Seddon went out into the country for riding exerciso. He states that he feels much improved in health sines his visit here a month ago, and he certainly looks much improved. Ho hopes to reach Wellington by the Hinemoa on Saturday morning. •

PREPARATIONS FOR THE SESSION. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, June 19. The Ricrht Hon. Mr Seddon is back in Wellington, and is looking remarkably well. There is evory prospect thai; he will be able to sco the tession through. He himself states that he has considerably benefited by his trip, and that he is now something more than convalescent. Although be will still have to take regular exercise and observe a good deal of care lie is prepared to face the session with every prospect of seeing it through. He> stated, however, that his intention was not tt f > go m for any long ciitings. Early hours would be obsened in th© conduct pf business, but there W33 a certain amount of work to be done, and if any advantage was taken oi: the early sittings it would simply mean that the secsion would have to be lengthened. Mr Seddon says thait while he ha-; been on the Hinemoa lie has not been at; all idle. He has been busy with the Speech from the Throne, th© Financial Statement, and other matters — indeed, he states that the preparation for the work of the session has nob in any way suffered through his absence ; in fact, even before ho went away the preparations, especially in regard to finance, were in a more forward state than when he left the colony for the Coronation celebrations. This shows that the recent statement made by me was quite correct, despite the so-called "authorised correction." The Post, summing up the position, s-nys : "The Premier is very nrach improved in health as the result of his trip, but his illness has taught him that ho cannot play fast and loose with his constitution as he has teen doing, and he has to 'Go slow.' That means earlier sittings during the session, and evidently an end to th© legislation "by exhaustion ' which hE>s been a matter of so much comment in previous sessions. But the work has to be clous, and the session may be protracted nicro than usual in consequence." Mr Seddon states that he , enjoyed the trip thoroughly, and speaks in terms of high praisa cf the skilful care which was ! taken of him by Dr Valintine. " I'm said I to be a bit of an autocrat myself." said 1 Mr Seddon, with a laugh, "but I can't c-rme near Dr Valinlme m that respect." ■ If bo continued, anything could reconcile [ one to illness it was the numerous telegrams

and letters of sympathy that he had received, many of thorn from people /who were strongly opposed to him in politics, and whose kindly display of feeling he greatly appreciated. Mr Seddon took riding exercise this morning, and seemed to bo in " good form."'