A MOURNFUL VOYAGE.

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

A MOURNFUL VOYAGE.

INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN OF THE OSWESTRY GRANGE. (Per United Press Association). Wellington, June 18. "On tho 10th of tho 6th of 190G, the Hon. R. J. Seddon, passenger on the Oswestvy Grange steamer, from Sydney to Auckland, expired, and after careful examination by the ship's surgeon, he pronounced the cause of death to be owing to heart failure." — Extract from the log oi the s.s. Osvvestry Grange. "I sincerely hope that I may never be called upon to make such another voyage as that which has just ended with the passing of your late Premier, and there goes a man the like of whom is only born ones in a longtime. " The speaker was Captain Taylor, as he stood with head uncovered on the deck of the Oswestry Grange, rb the hearse passed from Glasgow wharf bearing the body of Mr Seddon at an early hoar on Sunday morning. Afterwards, when he had given directions about the cargo and mails, and had consulted with the ship's agents. Captain Taylor granted an interview to a "Post" representative. The Captain said the experience was one of a life time, and added that Mrs Seddon bore up like the bravo woman she was. "Despite the awful blow that came to her with lightning rapidity" said he, "she was ever thoughtful for others. All tho members of the family were simply dazed at the stroke that had taken away husband and father. All of us could hardly realise that it was death." Then Captain Taylor told the story of the passing of the Premier. "Mr Seddon," he said s "arrived on board late on Saturday night looking very tired, but appearing to bo in bright spirits. Tho waiting and accompanying crowd gave the Premier three cheers, but he would not give them a speech, though he thanked them for their kindness to him. Mr Seddon soon retired to rest, and awoke in the morning refreshed. Asked what he intended doing, he said he would 'put in a quiet day. I'll rest tomorrow, and then get to work. We will put in some hard work when we start/ The smoking room was sec apart as the Premier's workroom for the voyage, and there the two X^rivate Secretaries, Messrs Andrews and Matthews, laid out a mass of papers which were never touched by Mr Seddon. Fine weather prevailed on Sunday, and the Premier and his family spent n, very quiet day. About nocn, Mr Seddon had sent for the ship's doctor, complaining of some slight pain under the left arm. The medical man sounded the statesman thoioughly,and reported that he was very much run down, and must have a period of absolute rest, otherwise there was nothing to bo alarmed about. *You require rest.' said the doctor. The Premier admitted that he was very tired. Throughout the afternoon there were no signs of illness, no premonitions of the coming end. Just before leaving Sydney the Preimer had taken a groat fancy to an exceptionally clever and handsome white cockatoo with a ready How of language, and the gift of smart retorts. lie purchased the ! bird, and had* it sent on board as a I present to Mrs Seddon. He spent 1 some of the short time he was on board the steamer on a seat alongside the bird's cage, and greatly enjoyed the new experience of being 'talked at.' Shortly after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, the Premier and Mrs Seddon, their daughter May. and Mr Andrews were in Mr Seddon's cabin just off the saloon. Mr Seddon was reclining on the couch, nibbling at a biscuit. His wife was Bitting on a chair at the head of the couch, and the other two occupants of the cabin were standing. An animated general conversation had been going on, when, without the .slightest warning, the Premier .straightened himself, and whilst in the act of putting a hand towards his heart, exclaimed 'Oh, mother.' Immediately his head fell over to the right, and lay upon his wife's shoulder. So passed New Zealand's Prime Minister." Miss Seddon immediately called the Captain, who summoned the ship's doctor, but death had left its unmistakeable mark upon the now placid features. The story of the putting back of the steamer to Sydney, and the diverting of her course from Auckland to Wellington has already been told. By the express wish of Mrs Seddon the body was embalmed on board the ship at Sydney. Mrs Seddon also directed that the members of her family should receive advice of their father's death before tho public was made aware of the reason of the return of the Oswetsry Grange to Sydney. It was not until Mr Matthews had had time to get his cablegrams away that Captain Taylor flew from his foremast tho New Zealand Ensign as a signal that the Premier had passed away. "The srief of Sydney," said the Captain, "was genuine and most marked on that day of our sad return." The Premier's last pnblio utterances "I thank you very much under the circumstances. I should not have thought- of addressing you here, but, taking into consideration the extreme lateness of the hour, your welcome is all the more appreciated, and 1 am very much obliged to you." Tins simple and brief speech addressed to the steerage passengers onboard the Oswestry Grange prior to her departure from Sydney for Auckland in the early hours of Sunday j morning, were, according to one of j the passengers, undoubtedly the last words spoken by tho late Premier in public. Interviewed by a " Post" reporter, their informant said Mr Seddon and his party arrived at the Woolloomoolloo "wharf about 2 a. m. He courteously paused upon the gangway when going aboard the ship in order that, some enterprising photographer might take a flashlight picture of his leave taking of Australia. Mr Seddon then appeared to be in the best of health, and as he reached the deck, a number of steerage passengers who had heard of his achievements, and were on their way to the country which was already known to them as Soddonland.to start, life afresh, gave them a rousing cheer. Mr Seddon was pleased at this unlooked for reception, and it was then, according to the "Post" informant, that he gave utterance to the words quoted above.