59

H.—2B

HARBOUR BOARDS. (TO MRS. SEDDON.) Auckland Harbour Board. Dear Madam, — Auckland, 14th June, 1906. I have the honour to forward you the following resolution, which was passed by the Board at its meeting held on Tuesday last, the 12th instant: " That this meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board deeply regrets the loss the Empire and Colony of New Zealand have sustained by the sudden death of the colony's greatest statesman, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., Prime Minister, and offers its heartfelt sympathy and condolence to his widow and family in this their hour of great trial and affliction; and this resolution conveying our sorrow and sympathy be forwarded by the Chairman to Mrs. Seddon." I very much regret that such a painful duty should have fallen upon me, and every member of the Board desires that I should convey to you and your family their sincere sympathy and condolence in this your great hour of trial. Trusting that you and your family will have strength given you to bear up against this great loss you have sustained. I have, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. E. Mitchelson, Chairman. Bluff Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington.- Invercargill, 16th June, 1906. Permit me, on behalf of the members of the Bluff Harbour Board, to offer you our sincere and heartfelt sympathy with yourself and all members of your family in the terrible blow that has so unexpectedly fallen upon you through the sudden death of your husband, our distinguished Premier. We trust that the universal sympathy of the whole of the people of the colony and so many in other lands may help to comfort you in the hour of sorrow, and that God may sustain and console you in this sore bereavement. J. R. Watson, Chairman. Bluff Harbour Board. Dear Madam, — Campbelltown, 10th July, 1906. I have the honour to forward to you the following resolution, which was passed unanimously at the last ordinary monthly meeting of the Board : " That the Board places on record its deep sense of the great loss sustained by the colony and by the Empire through the lamented death of the Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., and offers its respectful sympathy to Mrs. Seddon and her family in the sad loss they have sustained. I have, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Geo. R. George, Secretary. Greymouth Harbour Board. Dear Madam, — Greymouth, 14th June, 1906. I have the honour to inform you that at the meeting of this Board, held on Tuesday last, the Chairman (Mr. R. Russell) spoke of the deep grief all felt at the news of the death of Mr. Seddon. He moved, " That this Board places on record its profound regret at the loss sustained by the colony, and especially by the West Coast, through the death of the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, P.C., LL.D., Prime Minister of New Zealand, and its appreciation of his great services in the interests of the colony and of the Empire. Further, the Board desires to express its sincere sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and the members of her family in their great and sorrowful bereavement." The resolution was seconded by Mr. Guinness, and carried unanimously, after which the Board adjourned out of respect to Mr. Seddon's memory. Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. H. B. Barrett, Secretary. Hokitika Harbour Board. Dear Madam, — Hokitika, sth July, 1906. I am instructed to convey to you the following resolution, passed at a meeting of the Board held on the 3rd instant, viz.: " That this Board places on record its sense of the great loss which the district, the colony, and the Empire have sustained by the death of the Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and its belief that he was taken away at a time when his matured wisdom and ardent patriotism would have been of incalculable benefit in strengthening and consolidating the ties which unite the various parts of the British Empire. Further, the Board tenders its deepest sympathy to the widow and family in their great bereavement." I am, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. G. W. Bignell, Secretary. Otago Harbour Board. Madam, Dunedin, 30th June, 1906. At the last meeting of this Board, I was instructed to convey to you and your family the Board's deep sympathy in the sudden and sore loss you have sustained by the death of Mr. Seddon. I have, (fee, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Secretary.