DEATH OF THE RIGHT HON. R. J. SEDDON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 14, Issue 24, 14 June 1906, Page 20

DEATH OF THE RIGHT HON. R. J. SEDDON

The uncertainty of life was forcibly brought home to the people of this Colcny this week. In the morning papers of Monday they read that Mr. Seddon, having concluded his tour of the principal colonies of the Commonwealth, had left at 3.30 on Sunday morning lor New Zealand via Auckland by the ' Oswcstry Grange.' By noon on the same day flags were flying at halfmast and biells were tolling 'out of respect to his memory. Piior to his departure for New Zealand Mr. Seddon was the recipient of many messages from the leading men of Australia, conveying their best wishes for a pleasant voyage and safe return. Little did they "anticipate that within a few short hours they would be lamenting his death and tendering their sympathy and condolence to his bereaved widow and sorrpjating family. Yet .such was the case. It anjears that shortly before half-past six o'clock on Sunday evenina: iMr. Seddon was sitting with Mrs. Seddon in his cabin, waiting for the dinner -grns;, when placed his heaxl on his W'fe's shoulder, pnd said. 'Oh, mother,' and expired immediately. The ship's doctor

certified that death was due to heart failure. The yesSJh^JVT U0 ™Jl cs from lhe Heads at the time > re™™ed to Sydney. lh« body was embalmed and is being Drought to hew Zealand. It is needless to say that lrtr neVVS n° f the sad evcut - coated the most profound ShL r 1 -, parlS . of the Lol ~*Y, and the sincere symthef/girisL 0111 to Mrs - Seddon and famiiy in

Ihe late Mr. Seddon was ,1/orn at Eccleston, near St. ipr f'^ nsand ,' On Juaie 22 > 1845 ' his f ather being master of the local grammar school. After an ordinary primary education he went, at the age of twelve years iSItKSS 1 !* 18 Syandfather's farm, but finding this unl SS?! % I o!: as JfV he was apprenticed to an engineering firm at St. Helens, and after serving his time, worked at the Vauxhall Foundry, Liverpool. At the age of eighteen he came out as engineer in a steamer to Victoria, landmg in Melbourne 45 years ago. After trying the goldfields he secured work in the locomotive department of the Government Railways. A brass tablet now marks the bench at which he worked. In 1866 just forty years ago, he came over to Hokitika. After three years on the West Coast goldfields he returned to Me.bourne and married the second daughter of Captain bpotswood-, a shipowner trading out of Melbourne— a lady who had always proved a -worthy helpmeet all through his carper. He took his first step in public life soon alter returning from Melbourne with his bride when he became a member of the Arahura Road Board' When Mestland became a -provincial district Mr. Seddon represented Arahura in the Wcstland Council, and was Chairman of Committees until the aboliticn of the provinces in 1876. In 187,8 he was elected the first Mayor of Kumara. In 1879 he was elected for Westlatnd in the House of Representatives, and as a follower of Sir George Grey In 1891 Mr. Seddon joined the Ballance Ministry as Minister for Mines, and on the death of the Premier in April, 1893, he was called to the Premiership, being sworn in on May 1, having thus held the posuion for upwards of thirteen years. In 1897 Mr Seddon visited I£lng!aml en the occasion of the late s diamond jubilee, when he was made a Privy Councillor He paid another visit to England to attend the Coronation, when he and Mrs. Seddon were the guests cf his Majesty. t> " e j s survived b y his" widow and three sons (Captain R. J. .Seddon, Mr. Thomas R. Seddon, and Mr. Stuart Seiklon) and six daughters (Mrs. Bean, Mrs. Dyer Mrs Monce, of Greymouth, Miss Seddon, Miss May Seddon and Miss Ruby Seddon). '