PRESENTATION TO PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 702, 23 December 1902, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO PREMIER.

WELLINGTON’S PURSE OF SOVEREIGNS. [UI TKLEOIUPH, —I'IIKS.3 ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, lust night. Wellington’s coritcibution to the testimonial to the Premier was presented to Mr Seddon at the Parliamentary buildings this afternoon. The presentation consisted of u casket of solid silver, beautifully chased, and mounted on a black stand. Insido of the cover was the following inscriptive :—“ Presented with its contents to the Right lion. R. J. Seddon, P.G., a sauvonir in recognition of service to the colony and Euipiro, Wellington, N.Z., .December 22, 1902.” Tho contents referred to consisted of u chequo for about 11870, though tho amount was riot stated. There was a largo gathering of friends of Mr and Mrs Seddon present. Tho gift was handed to tho Premier by Mr Nicholas Reid, on behalf of tho subscribers. Ho explained that the presentation was made to mark tho recipient's services to tho colony and tho Empire. Mr Reid mado eulogistic references to Mr Soddon’s work in despatching Contingents to South Africa and at tho Colonial Premiers’ Conference. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Seddon. Tho Premiet,in his reply, said that ho was obliged to say that a paragraph had been erroneously cabled to tho Homo press that a purso of sovereigns had boon presented to him at Christchurch. Ho bad a correction put in tho papors that presentation had, at his request not been made, although it was spoken of. Now it had been decided that there should bo presentations at Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch. Many presentations had boon mado to him during his public life, and this was bettor than in the case of tho late Messrs James Macandrew, John Ballanco, Sir Julius Vogel, Sir Harry Atkinson, and Sir John McKenzie, to whoso 1 relatives Parliament had mado monoy 1 grants. Ho was pleased to receive this sou- ' venir, marking as it did their appreciation I of his sorvices to tho Empire. In doing 1 his duty ho nover oxpectod anything but confidence and goodwill and esteem and ( assistance of his follow colonists. Ho had 1 done his duty willingly in regard to South 1 Africa, and thoir efforts, which were prompted by patriotism, wore met with groat appreciation. Ho accepted tho presentation in tho spirit in which they gave it. (Applauso.) The subscribers included many who wore opposed to him politically, and that mado tho presentation still more . acceptable. (Ronowed ap- i plauso). Mr Seddon went on to express l ins appreciation of tho wolcomo accorded | him on his return to Now Zealand, and ; suid that no presentation received by him I surpassed the ono now made. The action c of tho subscribers would bo over remem 1 bored, and ho trusted that in rogurd to his largo Imperial actions ho would over I oujuy their confidence, goodwill, and c esteem. (Applause). 1