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district had sustained in consequence, and that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mrs. Ballance." Every member present spoke in the most feeling terms in regard to Mr. Ballance, and expressed their sympathy with you in your great bereavement. Yours truly, Mrs. Ballance. John Stevenson, Chairman.

Mr. Instone, Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, to Mrs. Ballance. . (Telegram. 15th May, 1893. At monthly meeting of committee, just held, I was instructed to convey to you the deep regret felt by this Chamber in the serious loss the country has sustained by the sorrowful death of Mr. Ballance. I am also to express the sincerest sympathy of the Chamber with you in your sad bereavement.

The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, to Mrs. Ballance. Madam, — Auckland, 2nd June, 1893. I have the honour, by direction, to convey to you a copy of a resolution passed by the members of this Chamber at their quarterly meeting, held on the 31st ultimo : "That the sincerest sympathy and condolence of this Chamber be tendered to Mrs. Ballance in her recent bereavement." This resolution very inadequately represents the feeling of loss that has been sustained in the death of the late Hon. J. Ballance. He was looked up to to guard our commercial interests, and it was felt that any subject relegated to his care would be treated in that fair and honourable spirit that has always been manifested in his public career. He was ever regarded as an honourable and upright man, faithful in word and deed, and a severe loss has been experienced by his untimely death. I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance. J. Young, Secretary.

HARBOUR BOARDS. Mr. A. Matheson, Chairman, Greymouth Harbour Board, to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. Greymouth Harbour Board respectfully desires you to convey to Mrs. Ballance the Board's condolence in her sad bereavement.

Mr. J. H. Barr, Chairman, Oamaru Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. Ministers will please accept the Board's sympathy, and convey the same to Mrs. Ballance in her sorrowful bereavement.

Mr. J. J. Moynihan, Chairman, Westport Harbour Board, to Mrs. Ballance. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. The Board desires to express its kindest sympathy with you in your bereavement. The country has indeed lost a worthy and estimable statesman.

The Seceetaey, Wanganui Harbour Board, to Mrs. Ballance. Deae Madam, — Harbour Board Office, Wanganui, Ist May, 1893. The members of the Wanganui Harbour Board, on meeting to-day for the transaction of ordinary business, unanimously resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, to adjourn until Saturday next, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late John Ballance. The following resolution was also unanimously passed, and I was directed to forward a copy of the same to you: " That this Board desire to convey to Mrs. Ballance their deepest sympathy in her bereavement and loss. The Board feel that the loss is not only a personal one, but that the Wanganui district has lost a member whose best efforts were always used in aiding and advancing the interests of the district, while the colony at large mourn the loss of a statesman whose name will live for ever in the history of the colony, and whose place it will be hard to fill. I remain, &c, Mrs. Ballance, Wanganui. John Notman, Secretary.

The Seceetaey, Bluff Harbour Board, to Mrs. Ballance. Madam,— Bluff Harbour Board Office, Campbelltown, 28th May, 1893. I have the honour, by direction of the Board, to forward you the following copy of resolution which was unanimously passed by this Board at its last meeting, viz.: "That this Board place on record its regret at the untimely death of the Premier, the Hon. John Ballance, its full appreciation of his numerous valuable public services, and its sympathy with the widow in her bereavement." ■ I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance. James E. Fox, Secretary.

FREEMASONS. Mr. M. Niccol, G.M., Auckland, to Mrs. Ballance. (Telegram.) 29th April, 1893. Accept sincere condolence of Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand with you in your great bereavement through the deeply-regretted death of our late Brother John Ballance.