THE LATE MR SEDDON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 39, 26 May 1910, Page 5

THE LATE MR SEDDON.

MEMORIAL UNVEILED. SIR J. G. WARD'S EULOGY. By Telegraph —Press Association. Hokitika, Last Night. The unveiling ceremony in connection with the memorial to the late Mr. Seildon eventuated this afternoon in the presence of a fairly large gathering. The heavy rain during the morning militated against the attendance. The School Cadets were well represented, a total of 201) being present from Reefton, Greyinouth, Cobden, Hokitika and the districts. Mr. T .J. MeGuigan, chairman of the Memorial Committee, referred to the erection of the marble statue of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, who had, he said, accomplished so much in the service of his country, and for the Empire. He referred to the spontaneous manner in which the residents of Hokitika and the West Coast generally had subscribed towards'the memorial, the total cost of which amounted to about £BSO. The secretary, Mr. D. J. Evans, then read a number of apologies, including thos'e received from Ministers ot the Crown, Captain Seddon, Mrs. Bean, Mrs. Dwyer, Musses Seddon (2), Mr. Stuart Seddon, Dr. Morice, the Rev. Dr. Crimes, Mr. T. Saunders, editor of the Lyttelton Times, and others. Sir J. G. Ward, in the course of a most eulogistic address on the late Hon. Mr. Seddon, referred to the pleasure it gave him to be present on the occasion. The memory of Mr. Seddon was) so dear by reason of the great services he had rendered to the Dominion j and the Empire as a public man. Sir' J. G. Ward then gave a brief sketch of the late statesman's record. But before doing so he pointed out that Hokitika and theidistrict had the first complete statue raised in his memory, and mentioned that tilie West Coasters had an excellent likeness to commemorate his memory. On behalf of the subscribers he, the Premier, then handed over the memorial to the Mayor, whom he asked to preserve it, not only for the present generation but those 'who followed, in order to keep fresh in the minds of all the great services of the statesman who had been laid to rest. The statue was- then unveiled, the territorials presenting arms. Cheers for the King, Mrs. Seddon. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon terminated the proceedings.