PUBLIC FAREWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1930, Page 6

PUBLIC FAREWELL

The departure of Mr T. E. Y. Seddon and Airs Soddon. for Wellington, was marked last evening by a special social function at the Soldiers’ Hall. There was a largo attendance of town and country folk to do honor to the guests. Among the special visitors was Mrs Bean, of Christchurch. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. During the evening Misses Lynn and Morgan rendered solos, and Miss I. Evans a musical monologue. Mr Parry’s gramophone supplied several numbers while the Black Hand Orchestra supplied music for the .dancing. Supper, provided by Mrs Preston, in generous quantity, was supplied. The whole arrangements passed off very happily. Special interest centred in the broadcast lrom Wellington, where Mrs Seddon and her daughter, Airs Prank Hay, spoke. The following was the record of the broadcast: —

THE BROADCAST,

The Announcer at 2YA said he had a message for the people of Westland of Hokitika, who were gathered in Hokitika this evening to do honour to Mr T. E. Y. Seddon. He wished to introduce his mother, Airs It. J. Seddon, whom he said needed no introduction to the people of Westland to whom she was well known through her late husband. He introduced Airs Seddon who said:—-

“To the people of Westland I wish to thank you for file honour you are doing my son this evening and I wish you a very pleasant time. Good night everybody.” Airs Hay then spoke saying:—“As I cannot be among you the next best thing: to the people of Westland I wish to thank you for the honour you are doing my brother, Tommy, this evening. I wish you a very pleasant gathering. Good night all,” APOLOGIES AND APPRECIATION. From Airs R. J. Seddon, “Eccleston, ’’Wellington: “Regret through indisposition unable be with you, old associations and memories are revived with my son and his wife being honoured amongst you in Westland tonight. All good wishes.—Janie Seddon.” ••

< From Rt. Hon Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Alinister:—“Please accept my sincere thanks for kind invitation to attend farewell social being tendered to Mr and Airs T. E. Y. Seddon tonight. Had circumstances permitted it would have given me great pleasure to have been present on the occasion, but unfortunately I am unable to leave Rotorua at present. I wish, however, to join very cordially in' the tributes which will be paid to the guests of honour. Mr .Seddon following in the steps of his distinguished and revered father has rendered both in and out of Parliament valuable service to the Westland district over a long period of years, and in his work has been ably assisted by his wife. I unite with von all in extending very good wishes to Air and Airs Seddon for continued welfare and prosperity in the new sphere.— (Signed) Joseph Ward. From Dr and Mrs Atoricc, Wellington:—The Alorice family regret exceedingly not to be with you this evening. Kindest remembrances to all friends wishing all a happy time.— Charles and Louie Alorice.

From Deputy Leader of House of Representatives:—Please accept nr\ thanks for invitation to me to Ire present at function to he tendered to IN 1 1 and .Mrs T. E. Y. Seddon on 22nd. inst. It would have [riven me great please to attend hut I have already arranged to leave for North on that date. Am making enquiries to ascertain whether any of my colleagues can make it convenient to he present. Shall let you --have further reply at earlv date.—(Sgd.) G. \V. Forbes.

From Sir Thomas Sidcy, Attorney General:—“l much regret that I will lie unable to be present at the farewell social to 1)0 tendered to Mr and Mrs T. E. Y. Seddon at Hokitika on 22nd. inst. With every good wish for a pleasant evening.”—(Sgd.) T. K. iSuiey. From Minister of Native Affairs:— “I regret that owing to engagements in the North Auckland district it b not possible for me to attend the farewell to Mr and Mrs T. E. Y. Seddon.” —-(Sgd.) A. T. Ngata.

From Minister of Internal Affairs: —“Many thanks for invitation. I am very sorry that it is not possible for me to he present at farewell social to Mr and Mrs Seddon. Would" you kindly apologise for my absence and at

-no same time express my good wishes ror the f uture happiness and prosperity ,ot Mr and Mrs Seddon. Kind regards.”—(Sgd.) P. A. Do La Pc relic. From Minister of Labour: “T appreciate very much your cordial invitation to attend farewell social to Mr and Mrs T. E. Y. Seddon at Hokitika on Tuesday next, but sincerely regret that prior engagement will prevent my being with you. It is very pleasing to me to know that the valuable public service which Mr Seddon has rendered to Westland over a long period of years as a member of Parliament, and in other directions are to be recognised by the people of the district. Although Mrs Seddon and be are moving from your midst I know that they will both continue to retain Lie keenest interest in the welfare and progress of the district which was the home for so many years of his mustrious father and himself. Kindly apologise for my unavoidable absence and accept my best wishes for a happy time.”—(Sgd) W. A. Veiteli.

From Minister of Education:—“l thank you very much for your kind invitation to he present at the farewell social to Mr and Mrs Seddon this evening, but regret I am unable to accept owing to other engagements in Greymouth. I am glad to know that Mr

Scddon’s long service as Member for .vcstland is being fittingly recognised, and I wish one and all a very pleasant evening.”—(Sgd.) Harry Atrnore. From Leader of the Opposition: “I regret it will not be possible for me to be with you to-day. Thank you for your thoughful invitation, and please accept all good wishes.”—(Sgd.) J. G. Coates.

From Leader of Labour Party:—“l have to thank you for your invitation to be present at the farewell social to Air and Mrs Seddon on the 22iul. inst. I regre,t, however, that it will bo quite impossible for me to visit Hokitika on that date, as I shall then be attending the Annual Conference of the Lahour Party at Wellington. Otherwise I. should have been very pleased to be present. With best wishes for an enjoyable function.”—(Sgd ) H. E. Holland.

From Hon. Alinister of Public Works —“| have to thank you for your invitation dated 10th. inst. to myself and party to attend the farewell social which is being tendered to Air and Mrs T. Seddon at Hokitika on 22nd. inst. It would have given me very much pleasure to have attended this function and to have taken part m honouring a very old friend, but I sincerely regret that on account of pressure of official duties it will be quite impossible for me to visit Hokitika on the 22nd. inst. I should be glad, however, if you would please convey my apologies to the gathering, and may I express my hope that the function will be in every way successful and enjoyable.”—(Sgd.) E. 11. Ransom.

Apologies were received also from Mrs Frank Hay, Wellington; Canon Bean, Christchurch: Miss Sberriff, Messrs J. O’Brien ALP., A. C. Armstrong, W- Wilson, ■T. W. Bruce, T. W. Duff, W. A. Jamieson, AT. Houston. Also from the Alayors of Greymontli and Kumara.

There was a pretty scene when Airs Seddon accompanied by All's Bean and ATr Seddon arrived. Little Afiss Effie Huxford presented Airs Seddon with a handsome bouquet, and Aliss Cora Lynn presented a spray of flowers to Airs Bean and a button-hole to Air Seddon. The flowers were the gifts of the Westland children.

THE SPEECHES

Air J. A. Murdoch. Chairman of the Presentation Committee presided, and invited several gentlemen to speak. Air G. A. Perry (ALiyor) said his personal feelings towards Air Seddon had been always of the warmest. He had found him the same always. Air Seddon was well known throughout the district, and they could all congirlajtulate him on) 'the appointment ho had received, with the knowledge it would be well filled. He was capably equipped to help the returned men. Though not a native of Hokitika Air Seddon was horn close by, and would always be welcomed here as one coining home. Ho extended good wishes for the future to Air and Mrs Soddon.

Mr B. Ward was sorry they had to sav good-bye to Mr Tom Seddon. The speaker had known, him from boyhood days, as he also know his illustrious father. Tom was a worthy son of that great father, and succeod:ng his father in Parliament as Member for Westland had rendered honourable service in a very able manner. The fortunes of war, said Mr’ Ward, were very like love, —you never know when you’ve got it. Mr Seddon while Member bail been mar■■ied, and enjoyed their bone,'-moon crossing the Haast Pass, a trip be •(■commended to otlmr honeymooners. Vow Mr vSeddon had received an im•nrtaut public appointment. Mr 'Yard thought Mr Seddon’s heart would always be in Westland, and he ■ould assure him friends would never "orget the Seddon family. He spoke appreciatively of Mr Seddon’s visit 1 - to the Arahuiqi, district, and the knowledge about stock imported by the settlers. He wished to thank him for all that he laid done, and joined in the chorus of good wishes to Miami Mrs Seddon for their future.

Air H Osmcrs. Mnvor of Ross, attended specially to voice regret at Mr Seddon’s departure, tlmnk him for all that he had done for Ross and wish him well in the future.

Dr Teichelmann spoke of the good friendship with Mr Seddon and how that feeling had ripened by time and intercourse.

Mr AY. E. Williams on behalf of the Westland Racing Chub specially thanked Air Seddon for his work and pains in assisting to help in the beautifici'Stioni ;of the vvieioeourse grounds and hoped Air Seddon would continue to remain the patron of the Club.

Mr AN’. J. Butler spoke personally of his knowledge of Air Seddon’s work in Parliament and the assistance given to lielo the timber industry. Tie took the opportunity to extend good wishes on behalf of the industrialists of the Dominion, The Chairman (Afr Murdoch) reviewed points in Air Seddou’s career from U)Of> on and off the eight contests be bad fought, winning six. He mentioned specially Air SoddonVs efforts in regard to the completion of the Otir.a 'runnel, the extension of the main South road towards Otago, the establishment of ;1 permanent Government Building in Hokitika and for great assistance at Kumara. during Air Murdoch's Afayor service. A. very fitting reference was made also to Air Soddon's war service, and finally to the special post now attained as Chairman of the War Pensions Board. Air Murdoch asked Ah's Bean to convey to her mother the good wishes of ilio meeting and a vote of appreciation was passed for the message broadcasted bv Mrs Seddon.

Air D. -T. lEvans spoke briefly in praise of Air Seddon’s fine personality and the affinity and allcctioti which had sprung up between them.

Airs Bean at the invitation of the Chairman, spoke on behalf of the family in appreciation of the kind things said and referred to her brother’s deep love for Westland. The Chairman then presented All suul Airs Seddon with a handsome piece of plate, a solid silver salver encased. Cheers greeted the presentation. Airs Tom Seddon spoke briefly and happily in acknowledging the gift and the very kind wishes.

Mr T. MV Y. Scddoil said lie could not bo otherwise than affected by their overwhelming kindness. He felt that the severance was a. difficult ordeal. It took him a good while to make up his mind about leaving them. M’heir remarks that evening recalled his early association with them, when they took him on ,trial as their Member. He must express appreciation lor all the support accorded in the past, lie spoke ol political differences which were all stink in Iflll wlto ii the war came. Earlier in his political career, in IdH, he mien tinned he had been invited to join the AlneKcnzie Alinistrv as Alblister of Alines, but he felt impelled to decline the offer in the best interests of the district. He proceeded to speak of his work in Parliament, ami expressed gratification that he bad been able to get the extension of the, main south road recognised, and it was for the people to see that the work went on. There-'had been great .changes in the south from 1906, when lie entered Parliament. Then there was only one bridge 'built—the Big Waitaha. Now all the rivers were ’■bleed, and South Westland was receiving the recognition which was its due. Regarding his appointment, he could say the country was doing the right'tiling for the returned soldiers. As Chairman of the Pensions Board he could tell them at present there were 20.686 pensioners and the payments now were £1,161,799. I here were 9138 permanent soldier pensioners and over 3009 temporary pensioners. The Board which consisted of four members dealt with the cases on their merits under the law of the land passed by Parliament, and lie assured them the soldiers were receiving fair treatment, and where there was doubt, the way was open for mi appeal to another body. In closing Air Seddon had to thank them all for their friendship which lie had been allowed to enjoy for over twenty years. He hoped to come back when, time permitted. He wanted also to thank those who had worked for him. He felt parting from Mr Evans with whom he had a close friendship. Airs Seddon. his wife, •was not a stranger to the AVest Coast now. He knew they appreciated the work she had done with regard to the Girl Guides movement; and he spoke of her work in establishing the Blanket Society in Greymontli and its spread to Hokitika. IJe was pleased to have Air Butler’s praise for what ho had done with regard to the timber industry, and also thanked Air Ward for the remarks regarding his help to the dairy industry, AVith testing and culling, Westland could emulate Taranaki.- In a final word of thanks on behalf of Airs Seddon, the kiddies and himself lie felt lie could not . adequately .express .... .his thanks but assured them of the warm corner in his heart for Westland. ' Musical honours and the singing ol An 1 d Lang- Sync concluded the very hearty proceedings, • -