Mr Seddon.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 145, 23 June 1904, Page 3

Mr Seddon.

WELLINGTON, June 22. Mr Seddon was euteitained ut a supper.„to-night in honour of his fifty-ninth birthday. The. gathering numbered nearly three hundred, and was thoroughly representative of ali classes of the community. Hon, T Kennedy Macdonald, M.L.C., sided. ' Mr Seddon, who appeared to be in excellent health and spirits, spoke for half an hour in responding to the toast of his health. He received a most enthusiastic reception. The Premier expressed his warm (hanks lor the kind consideration that had been' extended to him by the peoulu of the colony during his illness, and said he thought he had said enough Co show that ho was (it to take his place as the head of the Government .luring the forthcoming session. In .•eference to the successful recruiting )f the colonial naval reserve, In •aid that Ihe British fleet fo'rmul ihe bulwark of the Empire and the nation, and in view of events that had occurred of late years in the Far iiasl he was prepared to again ask this colony and the Imperial authorities to still further strengthen the colonial naval defence forces. He might for a time havo to " hasten slowly," but a great deal remained to bo accomplished, and he asked ihe people to assist him. Mr Seddon hoped tho happy and prosperous conditions now existing in the colony might last as long as life itself.