HIS CAREER IN WESTLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8133, 13 June 1906, Page 3

HIS CAREER IN WESTLAND.

PEtt PRESS ASSOCIATION. HoiccNKt, June 12. Ou the 22nd June,' 1815, the 111. Hon. R. J. Seddon, P. 0., L.L.1)., Premier of New Zealand, was born at Kccleston Hill, Lancashire, where his father had been for more than a quarter of a century head master of the local Grammar school. At the age 14, after having received a good plain, practical education, Mr Seddon joined Messrs Dalgleesc and Co , ironfounders and engineers at St. Helens, as an apprentice, and continued in their service For five years, afterwards bein; cmployed for a short time in the Vauxhall foundry, Liverpool. Then, yearning for a more adventuous career, he emigrated to Victrria, arriving in Melbourne by the good ship "Star of England." He followed his trade for J. short time, then went to the Bendigo .{oldfields. He had no luck on the diggings, however, so he returned to the Victoria capital, and again found employment at his trade as an engineer. When the gold rush broke out on the West Coast of the South Csland of New Zealand, the goid fever returned, and Mr Seddon again determined to try his luck. He chrew up his position under the Victorian Government, and sailed for Hokitika in the 3.5. Alhambra in 1866. )n arriving there he made his way to lie old Six Mile diggings, and with a few mates took up and worked on a -laim on the Waimea creek. Here his

iarly engineering training was fouu I f o be of no small value in connection ■vith the then famous " Band of Hope " water race, and, encouraged by the success of this and other water race ventures, ho urged the Government ind the then local authorities—the Westland County Council—to take ipon themselves the construction of ithcr large v«ater races which have Droved potent factors in increasing the jold output of the Colony. In the year 1869 tbe diggings demanded local ■epreseatatioj, and Mr Sa'doi was!

dected a member of the Arahura Road Joard, which was afterwards merged nto the Westland County. He subseincntly represented the Arahura disrict in th<i Provincial Council of ■Vestland, and became Chairman of Jonimiltees. Whilst occupying this wsition he made himself acquainted with Parliamentary procedure, studying May, Todd and other standard authorities. In 1878 the Borough of Kumara was formed, and Mr Seddon had the mnor of being elected its first Mayor, lolding that office for tho first two ■ears of its existence. The year 1879 iaw him enter the field of Parliamentary politics as a supporter of the liberal Party under Sir George Grey, le having been elected as one of the •vo members of Hokitika. Since then ie has had to fyhl several elections, ind in 1887 and" 1900 was returned mopposcd. Prom September, 1879, o the present day he has continuously •ccupicd a seat in the Parliament, thus icing " Father " as well as Leader of lie House of Representatives.

Westland first led Mr Seddon into lolitics, and New Zealand owes this onstituency a debt of gratitude for bus giving one who must be classed imongst the greatest of her Premiers, .he opportunity of attaining to that •xaltedjjposition. Twenty-seven years igo a young man who, in his youth had icen trained to engineering in his lirthplace, St. Helens, Lancashire, and iho, with that spirit of adventure ihich marked so many of our finest •olonists, came out to the colonies ireparcd to help to conuuer new worlds md carve out a fortune for himself, mtered tho House of Representatives is member for Westland. This was tichard John Seddon—" Digger Dick" s he was familiarly and affectionately ailed. He caiuc from tho West Co ist, rom amongst a people known to bet nyal to a friend and hard, hitters ■gainst anyone who would do tliem an njury or strik- below the belt. Broad rod stalwart, strong of arm and stout )f heart, he had manfully borne his jart in tbe pioneering of w!i it was then known as the "wild West Coast," and iu the councils of its people his ever active mind had been a Urge factor in shaping its destinies. In the Arahura Road Board, the Westland County Council, and through the whole gamut if local administration he graduated in pilitics, being associated with such nen as Jas. A. Bonar, H. L. Lahman, lohn McWhirter, Peter Dignan, McLean, Watt, Jack, John White, E. Barff, R. C. Reid, John Herter, H. W. iaodle, H. L. Robinson, J. F. Brvne, fas. Clark, J. McGoldering, D. Hanion, and others, 'nntil he found himself, by his pre-eminent ability, tic :hosen of the people of Westland for a scat in Parliament.

Messages continue to arrive from the jountry districts giving rent to the jreat feeling of sorrow experienced everywhere. The Borough Council of Hokitika held a special meeting to-night, when the Mayor moved.: "That the council place on record its profound serse of sorrow at the death of i he lit. Hon. R. J. Seddon, Member for Westland in Parliament,, and Prime Minister of New Zealand, and appreciation of his life's wo.'k in the interests of the district, the colony, and the Empire, and extends to Mrs Seddon and members of her family heartfelt sympathy in their ir c--.liable loss. Messages of condolence were also sent from the Worshipful Master ot the Kilwinning Lodge of Freemasons, if which lodge deceased was a member for over 30 years. Gheymovth, June 11.

The news of the death of Mr Seddon caused profound grief in town to-day. Business places were closed, flags were waved half-mast and the bells tolled. All Government offices closed. Mrs Vlorice, a daughter of deceased, leaves to-morrow for Wellington accompanied by Mrs Cunliffe, sister of deceased. The whole town is in mourning and all public meetings are postponed. The death of Mr Seddon is regarded as a great calamity to the Colony, especially the West Coast, where he was so beloved. It believed Mr Seddon's wish .vas to be buried on the Coast. If lecided otherwise, the residents intend approaching the Union Company fo:r u lircct steamer to enable friends to pay i last sad tribute of respect. TiMAiic, June 11.

The Borough Council met this evening, but adjourned after pissing a resolution expressing appreciation oT I lie distinguished service rendered to the colony and the Empire by the late Premier, and of sympathy with Mrs Seddon and family. The news was received with much general regret and digs were flying at half-mast all over the town. BLF.N~nF.IM, Juno 11 The news of Mr Seddon's death wa< received here with deep regret, and Hags were flying half-mast. One of ihe Premier's last acts was to fend a message of thanks to the Mayor for congratulations on Australia's enthusiastic reception.

NEW PLYMOUTH TRIBUTES,

At the quirlcrly meeting ot the Unity Tent, 1.0.R, the following resolution was passed : " The officers md members of the Unity Tent Independent Order of Eechabites, desire to place on record their profound ~orrow at the loss this Colony has sustained through the death of the Premier, the Right Hon. KicliurJ John Seddon, a statesman of high decree and keen foresighl ; and expresses to VI iv Seddon and family their sincere sympathy in this sad hour of bereavement." The I!<v. T. G. Brooke, President of of the Methodist Church Conference, wired yesterday to the Acting-Premier as follows: "On behalf of the New Zealand Mothodist Church let me express our deep regret and sorrow at the decease of the Eight. Hon. H. J.| Seddon-" The reply was as follows: I thank you for your kind, message of sympathy. The mourning will be universal for the loss of a great statesman. His life was a devotion to duty nnd the uplifting of Immunity, while his tender sympaihies and wide consideration endeared him. by all.—Mil IUIL-JoSBj,