IN MEMORIAM.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1921, Page 4

IN MEMORIAM.

LATE RIGHT HON, R. J. SEDDON

(Wellington “Post,” June 10). A ton thing ceremony took place at the National Monument to the late Right Hon R. J. Seddon in the Parliament Grounds this morning, when a laurel wreath was placed on it on.behalf of the West Coasters resident in Wellington. The wreath bore the following inscription : On the.lst<h anniversary of the death of the late Rt Honourable R. J. Seddon, the members of the West Coasters’ Association place this wreath on his monument with deep affection and grateful remembrance of his devoted services to tho cause of Humanity. lOtli June, 1921. Mr J. J. M’Grath, mi behalf of the association, voiced the deep feeling of reverence and affection which the memory of Mi Seddon kept green in the hearts of all West Coasters. He knew from personal experience what a

warm heart the late Air Seddon had, especially for the declining days of the fathers and mothers of the present generation of Coasters, and how his advice and assistance was always available to help the sons of the early pioneers. Many of these sons to-day, thanks in no small measure to this advice and to Mr Seddon’s example, occupied prominent positions in the professional and public offices of this and other cities in the Dominion. This country had every reason to revere the memory of the deceased statesman, and the association now laid this wreath with filial respect and reverence to Mr Seddon’s memory and with deep sympathy for his wife and family.

Those present adjourned to Mrs Seddon’s residence to personally tender her their sympathy and affection.

Inspector W. B. M’Uveney, an old Kumara. hoy, who was the oldest Coaster present, stated that his, recollection of Mrs Seddon and her late, revered husband went back over 45 years. He knew how they together shared their joys and sorrows, and what a helpmate Mrs, Soddon had been not only in her own home but throughout the Coast in its early and hard-living happy days, when all men and woman were equal, aiul there was no domestic problem. Mrs Seddon then was to all Coasters what she was to them to-day, ‘‘the first lady in the, land.” They deeply sympathised with her, and trusted that on this sad anniversary she and her family would derive some consolation from the affectionate regard all Coasters still had for her. Mrs Seddon feelingly thanked Mr M’Uveney for what ho had said, and the West Coasters for their thoughtful remembrance of the occasion, and then asked her son to speak for her. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., said though the occasion was always a sacred and sad one for the family, it was a generous and happy thought for the friends hid mother loved best to so feelingly remember her and her family in the twilight of her days. For the reverential act of laying the wreath on his father’s monument and for the kindly feelings voiced at the monument and to his mother, he, as well as his mother and all members of the family, were ; deeply grateful. *