PRESENTATION TO MRS SEDDON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7156, 22 July 1901, Page 1

PRESENTATION TO MRS SEDDON.

... ■ _ * _ •■ . The address from the people of the Westland constituency to Mrs Seddon, on the "occasion of her birthday, has now been mounted and illuminated, and is to be- at orice.iorwarded to her. - The address has been found in album form, in a handsome embossed morocco binding embellished with gold tooling. A vellum plate on. the outer cover bears the name off the recipient in ■gold letters. The first page is devoted also to an illumination of the recipient's name, being further adorned by a .series of characteristic • pictures of colonial lake and mountain scenery and flowers. The remainder of the volume is devoted to the address and signatures, -which; are .beautifully printed on. a series of handsome mounts. The 'work has been, done at the "Lyttelton Times" Office.. The following is the text of the address: — Hokitikai Westland, 'May 28, 1901. To Mrs, R. J. Seddon. Dear Mrs Seddon,— On behalf of the .people of the Westand constituency, a. district which has for "so many ,been , represented in Parliament by^p,^hpnquiip|j and esteemed husband, we desire^ to convey} to you heartfelt congratulations on. this the occasion of your birthday, and to- wish you in the fullest sense of the . words, '" Many happy returns of the day." You have in so many ways endeared yourself to the people of Westland, that you will be gratified to learn, that when" this presentation was mooted, there w ( as a ready wish to cooperate on ail sides.' Perhaps your many \ acts of kindness to individuals, particularly jn regard to incidents connected with the war in. South Africa,- more than anything, created this spontaneous expression of sinceresfc regard and esteem. In how many ways you (have acted with a motherly feeling to "our boys" when departing, to the relatives and friends in the hour of supreme trial, or to the gallant lads whin 'returning, it would be- difficult to enumierate,' We know that the cases are legion;' and many of your friends who have the' personal experience of your interest, were among the first to join in the pleasurable opportunity of recognising your kind and generous efforts. Your close personal regard for the healthand happiness of your distinguished husband has at all times commanded our' respect and admiration, and we also fully < recognise ;how loyally you have at all times assisted the Right Hon the Premier in the aim and object of bis "great work to improve the condition arid uplift the people of New Zealand: We need nofc say with what feelings'-of gratification ;;we: heard of Mr Seddon's improvement in .^jgaJUAij or of your daughter's recovery from airecent serious illness. Your concern- and Btierest were, of- course, natural, but knowing yotir intense: devotion to your family, | we can readily -believe that you must have , experienced a period of great suspense. We are glad that' that anxious time has i passed, arid most heartily indeed do we offer our congratulations to you and yours. We are also .pleased at the opportunity of referring to the* bearing of your gallant son in South Africa, where he has so readily reaa.ain^ to : assist, in fighting the battles : p^M^^nipire:' v seft < ssacrificie.'*in *r€> mairiingj though the opportunity of returning' offered, seemed to show that he, has, caught the spirit of his'fatEer, who. has so ptiblicly declared amd 1 demonstrated Ms desire to/ uphold the unity and : integrity of our nation. This,' combined with his promotion to a captaincy and his special desire to remain with the New Zealanders, though ' tempting offers of staff, appointment's were made, are incidents noted in his career, and we join with what will be ,!^pxtr- ; own wish— his safe and early return Hifethe land of his birth. In conclusion, r^e .can only say that the old ties of friendship on the West Coast are more firmly bound to you. than ever. The marked interest you always display in the welfare of Westland and its people ever rtmind us of your personal regard, and that, warm feeling is most heartily reciprocated. As some slight expression of the high esteem in which" you- are ield, we ask you to accept, the accompanying present of gold procured from Seddon' s Terrace, Westland, the gift of the people as emblematic of the golden opinions in which you are held. Wishing you and yours the brightest of. futures, and trusting that, as in the past, • wf shall have frequent opportunity.of,^seeing you amongst us, enjoying, in.coaff- ■* mcri ii wit}i your family, the best of good . health, which after all is the brightest gift of all, en. behalf of the subscribers, we have the honour to remain, your admiring friends. (Appended are the signatures of the Mayor, Coriimittee, and 502 friends).