MOURNING AT HOKITIKA.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11668, 2 July 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

MOURNING AT HOKITIKA.

Hokitika, June lPn A very eolomn scene was enacted to-day in the Westland County Chambers, when the Council met for its ' ordinary, meeting, The

ChJtmbertf were draped in black, and ft large photograph of the late Premier was covered with mourning. Mr Seddon wna a former member of the Council, and the building was the scene of maoy of tis eatly political tigbfis for roads and bridges to open tip the back country of his beloved Westland. On the motion of the County ChttirDikn the following resolution was adopted— the members rising in their places to giv* aeeent to the proposition: — "That on behalf of the people of Westland this Council expresses its profound feelings of regret at the sudden and untimely death of the Right Hon. R. .). Seddon, Privy Councilor, the distinguished Premier of the Colony, and honored member of this constituency, and warm-hearted colleague of by days. That tQK> Council places on record its very high sense of appreciation of the magnificent services so unselfishly rendered to his King and country duriug a colonial career of unparalleled brilliancy, and further that the Council tenders its most sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones, and oilers same to Mrs Seddon, his devoted and cherished wife, and to his beloved family with deepest respect of intimate friendship, endeared by a lifetime of pleasant intercourse, with the trust that the Almighty in His mercy will give that strength and peace of mind which will aid and sustain them in so great a domestic aiTliction. Councilor James P. Byrne, who was associated with Mr Seddon on the Arahura Roard Board, the first public body the Premier was elected to in the Colony, seconded the motion, makiug feeling reference to their long standing friendship. Westport June 15. The Borough Council passed a resolution of regret at Mr Seddon's death, and sympathy with the family. A memorial service is to be held in Victoria Square on Sunday morning, and another at the hour of Mr Seddon's funeral. It is proposed to erect a statue of Mr Seddon in Victoria Square. A meeting regarding same will be called on an early date. Greymouth, June 15. A memorial to tne late Mr Seddon has been inaugurated by the Greymouth "Star." and is being taken up by the citizens largely. A meeting will be hold at a future date to forward the movement. j Blenheim. June 15. j The Borough Council to-night i passed a resolution of sympathy \ with Mrs Seddon iv her recent bereavement, and a like resolution conveying condolence with Hon. W. Hall-Jones and his colleagues on the loss of their leader. A memorial service is to bo held in this borough, and a wreath is to be. sent to Mr Seddon's funeral. Wellington. June 15. The Government of New South Wales has expressed its desire that Mr J. Finch, inspector of the Bank of New South Wales; Mr E. W. Lowe, resident Secretary of the A.M.P. Society; Mr Gresley Lukin, editor of the " Evening Post" : and Mr J. li. Palmer, the Town Clerk of Wellington, shnll jointly n-present that Stiito at the funeral of the late Premier. Napier. June 15. The District otlicers of the Foresters, on behalf of the Courts in ! Hawke's Bay. have passed a resolution of sympathy with Mrs Soddou and family in their berveavejnont. The liberal and Labor Federation has passed a similar resolution. | Gisborne, June 15. The Local bodies in this district. j also the Liberal Association, will !be represented at Mr Seddon's i funeral. I Hastings, Juuo 15. ! The Maories of this district sent i the following to tho Hon. James i Carroll regarding the death of the I Premier: — "We are gre/ttly shocked I aud grieved, and our hearts are filled j with sadness and love for our Pftrenr, : who has been reft from us by the : strong hand of death. Do you convey our sympathy to the widow and ; ehildrerj in the house of mourning. I Although we are no; rein led by i blood, bis kind protection of the i whole people makes u< wonder where we will find a Parent now. Great as your grief must be. ours is not less so. O, Great Ona, k<>! O, strong one, who wert ;ss an impregnable fortress, and a shield of protection. Go, bright star of morning. I we shall seek in vain lor one great 1 enough to tread in your footsteps." I A iarge troop of Maoris from this | district propose to attend Mr SedIdon's funeral. Westport, June 17. " This morning the City Band, I Battery, the School Cadets, and a large gathering of tho public | assembled in Victoria Square. There an impressive service in connection with the death of Mr Seddon was conducted. Mr Marshall, the Deputy Mayor, pronounced a panageric on the late Premier. The gathering 3ang "Rock of Ages" nnd the City Band played the "Dead March." In all the Churches and at the Salvation Army Citndel feeling references wore made to tbe Premier's death, and sympathy expressed with the bereaved family. Ashburton, June 17. Memorial services for the late Premier were held in all the churches to-day, and feeling references made from tbe pulpit. The "Dead March" was played in most of the churches. The two Volunteer companies, beaded by tho Mayor acd Councilors und County Councilors, and accompanied by the County Brass h'aDd. paraded and attended morning service at the Anglican Church, where an appropriate memorial service was conducted. Greymouth, June 10. At a special meeting of the Grey County Council a motion of regret at the death of Mr Seddon and condolonce with Mrs Seddon was passed. In the course of a lengthy resolution it. was stated that by til© death of Mr Seddon, the Councilors and district had lost a dear and personal friend, the Colony its ablest leader, and the Empiro one of its builders. The late Premier's past works speak for themselves, and had he lived a few years' longer the Council feels satisfied that he would have made his beloved Colony "God's own country," and even better und more famous for advanced and progressive legislation. It. was resolved that the Council be represented at the funeral.