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The Secretary, Trades Hall Council, Melbourne, to Mrs. Ballance. Dear Madam,— Ist May, 1893. I am instructed by the Trades Hall Council of Melbourne to convey to you their deep sorrow and sympathy in the loss that you and the people of New Zealand have sustained in the death of your late husband, the Hon. John Ballance. Though personally unknown to thousands of the trades of Melbourne, we knew him well by reputation as an able, honest, upright, and conscientious statesman, and one whose wise and far-seeing policy will remain as a monument for all time. The world can ill afford men of the noble traits of character that were so prominent in your late husband, whose death we and our fellows of the great Colony of New Zealand now mourn. As one who sympathized with the masses, whose condition he ever strove to maintain to lift to a higher plane, he will ever be remembered by a grateful posterity. It is with no less service that w r e thus approach you in this the hour of your deep sorrow and affliction, but with sentiments from the heart sorrowing with you and yours over the newly-made grave that is now receiving all that remains of mortality of one whom we love and esteem. Though dead, his works will speak, and we feel assured that the memory of John Ballance will remain enshrined in the hearts of a grateful people. He needs no monument but that which is reared in the breasts of those who loved him by the purity of his life and acts. We trust you will accept of our sentiments of sympathy, and we pray that a kindly Providence will strengthen you to bear in submission and patience this the greatest sorrow of your life. The way of Providence is sometimes mysterious to us, and we know not the why and the wherefore, but enough for us to remember that God is too good to be unkind and too wise to err. The clouds are dark and lowering around you, but these dark clouds have their silver lining, and such, we trust, will be your experience. Again expressing the deep sympathy of my council and the trades of Melbourne, I am, &c, Mrs. Ballance. J. G. Baeeett, Secretary.

The -Secretary, Bendigo and District Trades and Labour Council, to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. Sir,— Bendigo, sth May, 1893. I am directed by the above council to convey to you our deep regret at the loss to New Zealand and the cause of legislative progression sustained by the death of your late leader, the Hon. J. Ballance. The eyes of all lovers of humanity are at the present time turned to your Island, watching keenly the progress you are making towards the practical settlement of politico-economic questions that are hoped will better the condition of life everywhere. You to-day occupy the proud position of being the pioneers of the new movement. That the master mind should be taken from amongst you at the present time is most unfortunate. However, it is to be sincerely hoped that the principles laid down by him will be rigidly adhered to, and that nothing will occur to mar the progress of the democratic party in New Zealand. The Hon. R. J. Seddon. Daniel P. Egan, Secretary.

The Chairman, May Day Demonstration, St. Kilda, to Mrs. Ballance. Madam, — Avondale, Alma Road, St. Kilda, Melbourne, Ist May, 1893. As chairman of the May Day Demonstration of Labour, held in Melbourne yesterday, I have the honour to transmit to you the following resolution, passed unanimously by a meeting of more than 5,000 citizens : " That this meeting of the working-classes of Melbourne deeply deplores the loss which they have suffered, in common with all workers, through the lamented death of the late Mr. John Ballance, and reverentially assure Mrs. Ballance of their deepest sympathy in her bereavement." Permit me, dear madam, to add to this resolution the expression of my personal concern and ■sympathy, and the hope that the universal tribute, to your late husband's greatness and worth may be of some consolation to you in your bereavement. I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance. Max Hirsch.

The Secretary, Victorian Operative Bootmakers' Union, to Mrs. Ballance.

Madam,— Trades Hall, Lygon Street, Carlton, 12th May, 1893. I beg to convey to yourself and family the sincere condolence of our members at the sad death of your late husband. We feel that New Zealand has lost one of its brightest members in the decease of the late Mr. Ballance, and that labour throughout the world will feel regret at the loss of .a gentleman who had the interest of the toilers so much at heart. We hope that the knowledge that your affliction is shared by all classes may have the effect of comforting you and your family. I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance. John Hyman, Secretary.

The Seceetaey, Trades Hall, Sydney, to Mrs. Ballance. Madam, — Trades Hall, Dixon Street, Sydney, sth May, 1893. By direction of the committee of the above association, I respectfully beg to convey the following resolution, passed unanimously at a meeting held on the above date : " That this association desires to place on record its appreciation of the valuable services of the late Hon. John Ballance, Premier of New Zealand, in the grandest of all causes—viz., that of the people —and desire to convey Jtheir deepest sympathy with Mrs. Ballance in her recent sad bereavement." With assurances of the deepest sympathy and regret, believe me to be, on behalf of the committee, madam, Yours, &c, Mrs. Ballance, Wellington. Aethur Newland, Secretary.