RETURN OF THE RIGHT HON. MR SEDDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XIII, 18 September 1897, Page 402

RETURN OF THE RIGHT HON. MR SEDDON.

ON Wednesday Wellington was gay with hunting, and thousands of citizens assembled on the Jervois Quay Wharf and other points of vantage to greet the Premier and Mrs Seddon on their safe return to New Zealand, their demonstrative welcome seemingly undiminished by the long and chilly wait which they had undergone through the late arrival of the * Waikare.’ All had been in readiness since halfpast two, when the gaily-decked little * Takapnna ’ left the wharf to meet the expected vessel at the Heads, having on board the Acting-Premier (the Hon. J. Mackenzie), the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. HallJones), and the Minister for Railways (the Hon. A. J. Cadman), and several Members of the House, amongst whom were the Hon. G. F. Richardson, and Messrs Mills, J. A. Miller, J. O’Meara, J. Hutcheson, and C. Wilson, several of the family of the Premier, his private secretary (Mr S. Hamer), and many others. After transhipping the military contingent from the ‘ Ruahine,’ which was at the outer tee, the ‘ Takapuna ’ steamed out to the Heads, but, alas ! no • Waikare * or expected guests were in sight, and the only alternative consisted in an anchorage in Warser Bay until nearly four o’clock, when the over-due steamer was at last discerned gaily hung with bunting. A rousing cheer went up from the * Takapnna * as Mr and Mrs Seddon were distinguished on the ’ Waikare’s ’ deck, with their daughters and Mr Crow, the cheer being responded to by those on board the • Waikare,* and the Maori contingent giving a haka of welcome. The party were soon transhipped on board the * Takapuna,* the immense crowd waiting on the wharf loudly cheering Mr Seddon as soon as he had approached within recognition, and a group of Maoris in native mats danced a haka of welcome. The New Zealand contingent, too, came in for their share of the welcome as they landed, being followed by the Premier and Mrs Seddon and party, who were almost immediately conducted to the carriages, which had so long waited their arrival. Mrs Seddon was presented with several lovely bouquets of flowers, and in spite of their long passage, the Premier and his family looked remarkably well. The procession, which was headed by the Garriscn Band, then started for the Parliamentary Grounds, the route taken being along Jervois Quay, Victoria-street, Taranaki-street, Manners and Willis-street to the Parliamentary Grounds, the streets era route being crowded with people. Of course the centre of attraction was the New Zealand contingent, who looked extremely well after their long voyage, and were very heartily greeted by the crowd. The procession, although a very large one, was considerably curtailed by the late arrival of the * Waikare,’ as the Permanent Forces and some of the Friendly Societies were dismissed after more than an hour’s waiting, as there seemed no prospect of the arrival of the 1 Waikare ’ before night. Among those who took part in the demonstration were the Maori Brass Band, the Bakers, Boilers, and Furniture Trades’ Union, with their respective banners, St. Patrick’s College students and their band, the members of the Women’s Social and Political League, and the Women’s Democratic Union, the Tailoresses’ Union (who followed in waggonettes), the Wellington Fire Brigade, and representatives of the Woodville, Palmerston North, Kurupuni, Masterton Municipal and Grey town Brigades, then a carriage drawn by four horses which contained the Premier, Acting-Premier (Hon J. MacKenzie), the Acting- ' Mayor (Mr Fraser), and Mr Arthur Scoullar, followed by another carriage containing Mrs Seddon an<F her daughters, and a number of other vehicles containing ministers and representatives of various local Societies. A dais had been erected at the Parliamentary Buildings, and the Premier and Mrs Seddon and their family, accompanied by the Ministers of the Crown, the ActingMayor, and members of the House, and many ladies and friends, having mounted the dais, at the instigation of the Acting-Mayor three lusty cheers were given for the Premier and his family, and then three for the contingent, and addresses were then presented from • The Citizens to the Premier,’ and from the • Women’s Social and Political League to Mrs Seddon,’ this address being written on cream satin in red and gold letters, red rata flowers being illuminated in the corners, the actingpresident (Mrs T. K. Macdonald) presenting it. Mrs Seddon personally replied to the address, thanking all most heartily for the very kind reception given to her and hers, and adding that, having just travelled round the world, she could assure them that no place was so dear to her as New Zealand, which sentiment was responded to by hearty cheers from the crowd. Another address was presented by the * Women’s Democratic League to Mrs Seddon,’ Mrs Tasker, the President, presenting the address, enclosed in a morocco case, blocked in gold. The presentation of the address having concluded, Mr Seddon replied at great length, and assured his hearers that * notwithstanding all that he had seen, notwithstanding all the honours conferred and the pleasures they had met with, they had enjoyed none so well as the present moment, and that the most pleasant voices they had heard were those that welcomed them back to New Zealand,’ and concluded in the worda of Sir George Grey, by asking that God might take them into His keeping. Mr Seddon having called for cheers for the Committee, the Mavor. the Secretary (Mr A. R. Hislop), and the Marshal (Mr Sayers), and a concluding three having been given for Mr MacKenzie (the acting Premier), Mr Seddon once more thanked the meeting, and paid a tribute to his colleagues for the manner in which they had managed the country in his absence, and then drove to his residence in Molesworth-street, and the crowd dispersed as the shades of night closed in, it being nearly half-past six o’clock by the time the Premier had finished his speech. During the evening Mr Seddon drove into town, and

was heartily cheered by large crowds of people, who eventually took the horses from the carriage and dragged him back to his home. It ispleasant to sgain be able to record no accidents—in spite of the large crowds of sightseers.