HOW THE END CAME. LAST HOURS ON BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 27

HOW THE END CAME. LAST HOURS ON BOARD.

"THE SADDEST VOYAGE OF MY LIFE."

Mr Biggs, the chief steward of th« Oswestry Grange, told a Post reportei that there had been no premonition whatever of the "Premier's death. Mr ■ came on board at midnight on Saturday, apparently in good health, though h« looked somewhat worn after his arduoul work of the two previous weeks. On Sunday at noon he had a hearty lunch, and was seen about in the afternoon. About 6 o'clock ho had dressed for dinner, and was sitting in his cabin talkine to Mr«

Seddon. Suddenly he was seized with a fainting fit, and leaning over on his wife's shoulder, exclaimed, "Oh, mother!" and collapsed. At first it was thought he had merely fainted, and the ship's doctor was hastily summoned. Eecuperatives measures were being employed when he arrived, but a glance at the prostrate figure of the great man was sufficient to convince him that all hope was at an end. The rugged spirit that had electrified Australia in a political sense for weeks, the man who had controlled the government of New Zealand for over 15 years, was at rest. Mr Biggs did not care to enter into particulars of the melancholy and sadly impressive scene which followed. At Mrs Seddon"s request the fact that "the Premier had died was not given out on board. The steerage passengers were not made aware of what happened, the intelligence being confined to the officers and the saloon passengers. Immediately the ship's course was altered, and the big liner, with her lag fluttering at half-mast, commenced to slowly plough her way back to Sydney. That journey of 140 odd miles will not be readily forgotten by Mr Biggs. The news gradually leaked out, and the whole ship was thrown into an inexpressible state of gloom. They reached Sydney in a truly funereal atmosphere. It was a foggy morning, cold, with drizzling rain. Depression seemed to be everywhere. The very elements appeared to be in keeping with their return to port. What followed has already been told by cablegram. " I hardly care to speak about the voyage," said Mr Biegs ; "it has been the saddest trip of my life."