MR AND MRS SEDDON'S EARLY LIFE IN MELBOURNE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8139, 22 June 1906, Page 3

MR AND MRS SEDDON'S EARLY LIFE IN MELBOURNE.

A VISIT TO WILLIAMSTOWN. Yesterday morning, at nine o'clock (says the Melbourne "Age" of Monday, June 11th), Mrs Seddon despatched from Sydney the following telegraphic message : "Just leaving. Fond love to all." It was addressed to her brother, Mr John Spotswood, North Williamstown, and was delivered before news of Mr Scddon's death was received. • When Mr Seddon was at tke Newport workshops last week, ke was interviewed by tke Mayor and Councillors, and invited to the Council Chambers. He was unable, through pressure oE engagements, to accept the invitation; but ke visited the Williamstown cemetery with Mrs Seddon. His father and her mother arc buried there. _Afterwards, with the town clerk as au escort, he visited ,tho spot behind the Woolpick Hotel, Nelson Place, where he and two others baehelorised 40 years ago. Mrs Scddon's mother lived next door, and they both indulged in delightful reminiscences of their young days. They fixed the exact locality of each house. " Here the tap used to be," said Mrs Seddon. " You used to come round tkere to see me "—referring to their days of courtship. "And," added Mr Seddon, ardently entering into the spirit of tkese old associations, "my old ckimney stood here. I remember wken people used to -tand outside to be warmed by

The Sailors' Rest was next entered, and Mrs Seddon took a seat near tke front. " This used to be the Wes- 1 leyan Church. I sat in this every Sunday," she observed. Mr Seddon also called upon several iof his old acquaintances, and could remember every house in Ann street. IHe said his 40 year*' absence had I made no alteration in it. " Hollo, Bob, old man !" was his salutation as he entered the hairdressing salooa of an early resident, Mr R. Smith. Four years ago, when in Williamstown, he went to the trouble of finding out Mr Smith's place of business, and, without disclosing his identity, gave an order for a hair cut.

"Do you remember old Dick Seddon?" ke inquired after a while. Mr Smith assured him he did, and | would know him anywhere. "Go ahead, then; you're cutting his I hair," was the answer, and Mr Seddon quite enjoyed the astonishment it caused.

Wken Mr Seddon was leaving this State last week, he received a telegram from the Mayor of Williamstown, wishing him a pleasant return, and he sent the following reply:— " Kind wishes. Williamstown much appreciated by Mrs Seddon, family, and self. Williamstown has for us lasting associations of an extremely pleasing character, and our earnest desire is that your town may extend and increase, and that its inhabitants may enjoy every prosperity and happiness. We must thank you for your courtesy and kindness, andwish you alt a great kia ora.—R. J. Ssddon."