DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8158, 12 June 1906, Page 5

DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.]

Received June 11, 11.58 a.m. SYDNEY, June 11. Mr Seddon, Premier of New Zsaland, who left Sydney at 3.30 o'clock on Sunday morning, by the Oswestry Grange, on his return to New Zealand, died at sea yesterday. Received June 11, 12.46 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. A most profound sensation was caused in the city when the news was posted that tbe Oswestry Grange was returning to port, with her flag half-mast, and that Mr Seddon had died suddenly. The water police launch has gone down to the vessel. There will be no particulars till she returns. Received June 11, 12.58 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. Mr Seddon died of heart failure at 9 o'clock last nig hi. FULL PARTICULARS. DEATH OCCURRED AT 6.20 O'CLOCK. HIS LAST WORDS. Received June 11, 2.13 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. Mr Seddon was not too bright during the day. At 6.20 o'olock, last night, he was sitting with Mrs Seddon in his oabin, waiting for the dinner gong. Suddenly he placed his bead on his wife's shoulder, and said, "Oh, Mother!" and expired immediately. The vessel was 140 miles from the Heads at the time. D'r Minohin, the ship's doctor, has given a certificate that death was due to heart failure. The body is to be embalmed, and the vessel will probably resume its voyage to Wellington as soon as tbe operation is completed.

"ONE OF THE HARDEST MONTHS OF WORK." '

Received Juug 11, 'I. 5 p.m. SYDNEY, Jnne 11. The Manager of the Preas Association bad a final interview with Mr Seddon on Saturday night. The Premier looked well, but was evidently tired. Mr Seddon said: "It has been one of the hardest months of wotk I have had, but I think it will be of advantage to New Zealand. 1 wish to thank you for what you have done for me. You have been very good." In the evening he and his family attended the performance, of "The Man from Mexico." He afterwards had supper, and then wont aboard the steamer.

MESSAGES OP CONDOLENCE FROM ALL QUARTERS. Received .June 11, 4.7 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. Complaining of tiredness, Mr Seddon did not rise till about noon yesterday. During the afternoon he appeared languid and was apparently suffering from a slight stomach trouble, but nothing serious was anticipated. The end came with terrible suddenness. He was seized with faintness aud gradually became unconscious. The doctor was called, and remedies applied, but all was unavailing, and he died in Mrs Seddon's arms. After consultation, it was decided tojeturn to Sydney, and the vessel's head was turned thitherward. Mrs Seddou i 3 bearing up well. Messagea of oondolonoe are pouring in from all quarters, including messages from the Governor-General, the State Governors, and Sir William Lyne, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. It is expected that the body will be embalmed in time for the Oswestry Grange to resume its voyage at 6 o'clock to night.

THE FEELING IN SYDNEY.

Received June 11 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. Perhaps never before has the death of a public man caused such a sensation as the death of Mr Seddon. He was looked upon in the Gomrnonwenith u? a man with views far wider than those possessed by the local politicians. Crowds gathered in front of the newspaper offices and read th* intelligence. His triumphant march through Australia and his sudden end set up a contrast which vividly affected the public mind. Practically his last public utterenoe was in reply to a press interviewer, in which he said that he had not had any rest, but that he had benefitted by the change, and the generous hospitality he had received would fortify him against adverse oritioism for some time to

DIES SUDDENLY AT SEA.

come. He particularly wished to say that the Australian press had been very considerate to him. "In saying good-bye to Austrlia," concluded Mr Seddon "the words Kia Ora and Aroha express my feelings. Australia has ever been generous to me from the day that 1 came here as a youth, but 'God's Own Country' sbould have the first place. You will quite understand that. At the same time I have a great love for Australia and its people, and fervently hope that happiness and contentment may ever be with them."

GENERAL EXPRESSION OF SORROW IN SYDNEY.

Received June 11, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. After lunch Mr Seddon slept for two hours. Ou awaking he appeared greatly refreshed. Once or twice he complained of his shoulder, which had troubled him earlier in tbe day. Just before dinner at 6.20 o'olock, he was lying on the' oouoh, fully dressed. He was seen to sink baoswards, in a fainting condition. Mrs Seddon and Mr Seddun's private seoretary (Mr Andrews) were the only persons Dreseut. They went to Mr Seddon's assistance, but a few seconds afterwards be breathed his last, apparently without suffering. Strict reticence was observed on tbe arrival of the vessel, at the request of Mrs Seddon, who wished first ;o communicate with her daughter, Mrs Dyer, who had remained in Sydney. Everywhere _ flags are flying at half-mast and there is a general expression of sorrow. Mr Oarruthers, who had an interview with Mr Seddon, on Saturday at noon, was much shocked at hearing the news. He notioed Mr Seddon appeared tired on Saturday, and asked him what sore of a trip he had had through the Southern States. Mr Seddon replied, "Very good, excepting at Adelaide, where 1 felt unwell." m

During this forenoon Mrs Seddon'e staff saw Mr Oarruthers, and expressed Mrs Seddon's wisn that there should be no public action taken here. ■•■■■'

Directly he heard the news, Mr Cavruthers communicated with the Governor-General and the State Governor expressing the general feeling of sorrow pervading the whole community. Asked if he would say anything regarding Mr Seddon's career, Mr Oarruthers replied, "The whole thing is suoh a shook that one is pretty well |unnerved. To mo it seems such an awful thing. Only on Saturday 1 went to him and shook hands and said 'Good-bye,' never thinking that it was a life farewell, it is too great a shook to speak now. The loss of a man like Mr Seddon at any time would be a publio calamity, but when it occurs under circumstances like the present it is a publio shook. Mr Seddon came here for a rest, but it was apparent to us all that he worked very hard, and probably that and the strenuous life he had been living for the last sixteen years, brought about his untimely death." The evening papers published early editions containing appreciative notices of-the deoeased statesman.

Received June 11, 10.9 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. Mr Seddon went down to the saloon half-an-hour after sailing, and retired to his berth immediately. He was obviously very tired, having spent a busy day. On the Sunday, after his afternoon sleep, he appeared refreshed, but a few minutes afterwards he had a recurrence of the symptoms that had shown themselves t in the morning, but in a more aggravated form. He was treated by Miss Seddon and Mr Andrews (his Secretary) seemingly with good effect, for he conversed with them on several publio and private matters in whioh they were interested. Then suddenly, just at 25 minutes past 6 he gave a short gasp, spoke a few words to Mrs Seddon and ooilapsed. It was supposed that he had fainted. ; Dr. Minohln was, hurriedly summoned, and arriving in a few moments, saw that the great New Zealander was dead. - "Failure of the heart," he said. There had been no straggle; no pain. Mr Seddon lay there in the cabin seemingly asleep, as calmly and peacefully as a child. The blow to Mrs Seddon and to Miss May Seddon and Mr Scuurt Seddon, who aooompanied their 'parents, was a terrible one. A little over three weeks ago they landed with their father at

Sydney amidst a great popular ovation, of which they were pardonably proud. To-day they returned on a murky, drizzling day, bearing his dead body. 'J'beir experiences were indeed tragic and pathetic.

NEWS CREATES A SENSATION IN VICTORIA.

Received June 11, 10.28 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 11. The newa of Mr Seddcn's death created a sensation throughout the State. The flags are at half-mast on th« public buildings. Mr Bent was greatly shocked on receipt of the t news.

TOWN HALL BELLS TOLLED.

Received Junß 1!, 10.28 p.m. ADELAIDE, June 11. The news was received with the greatest grief by everybody, and all were appalled by the suddenness of Mr Seddon's death. The Town were tolled.

COMMENT BY THE DAILY TELEGRAPH. Received June 11, 11.53 p.m. SYDNEY, June 11. The Daily Telegraph, in a leader, sayß that the remark of the Premier of New South Wales that the news of Mr Seddon's death oaine as a public shook, in no way overstates the [profound impression which the return of the Oswestry Grange with her mournful freight, yesterday, made upon the people of Australia.

Up till Sunday, when be left this oountry for his own, says the Telegraph, Mr Seddon had figured during the few tusy weeks of his viait here as a hale man, as robust and vigorous physioally as he had always been.

Politically hi/,final day here was spent with a characteristic activity. Yet the outward signals of Sunday morning sped him on his last journey, and in a few hours he was dead, apparently through the sturdy body's inability to continue longer the ceaseless strenuous struggle which it had waged so long. Death gstruok down with [dramatic euddeneas one of the most notable of Australasia's statesmen. In the management of men he probably had no peer among his contemporaries. The judgment of futurity will undoubtedly award Mr Seddon a position of greatness in the history of New Zealand, and notice him prominently in that of the Empire.

RECEPTION OP THE NEWS IN OTHER PARTS. AUCKLAND, June 11. The receipt of the news of Mr Seddou's death oreated a sensation. All the oourts are dosed. The sharebrokers paused on an uncompleted call and deoided to transact no further business to-day. BLENHEIM, June 11. The news of the death of Mr Seddon has been received here with consternation and grief. Flags are displayed at half-mast. LATER. One of the last acts was to send a message of thanks to the Mayor for his congratulations on Australia's enthusiastic reception. WESTPORT, June 11. At the request of the Mayor all business premises will close this afternoon owing to the death of the Premier. WANGA.NUI, June 11. The news of Mr Seddon 'a sudden death oaused a great shook here, and a universal feeling of pain and regret, 'l'he Te Aute and other College Commissions adjourned out of respect to the memory ot the deceased statesman, and the public schools were also closed. LATEK. The Sohool Committee passed the following resolution this evening: "That this Committee expresses its profound regret at the dea..h of 1 the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of the Colony, and ex- ' presses its sense of the great loss hij i removal will occaaion to the whole colony. As Minister of Education the late Premier ever displayed the keenest interest in the «velfare 1 of the children of the colony. The Committee further expresses to Mrs Seddon and the members of the family its deepest sympathy with them in their sudden an irreparable loss." The following wire was stint by the Registrar of the Native Land Court to the Minister of Native Affairs: "The leading natives of Wanganm desire you on the first opportunity to express deep sympathy with Mrs Seddon and family in their sad bereavement." OHRISTOHUROfI, June 11. The news of Mr Seddon's death was reoeived with deep sorrow in Christohuroh, and withal much incredulity till the evening papers published special editions confirming the report. The Major invited the citizens to close their places or business. All meetings of publio bodies will be adjourned out of respect to the Premier's memory, and the Cathedral bells will be tolled. DUNEDIN, June 11. Dunedin was {deeply moved at the news of the death of Mr Seddon. The netr Town Hall bell tolled 61 times, and flags were flown at halfmast. PALMERSTON N., June 11. The Supreme Court adjourned this afternoon in respect to the memory of the Premier, whose totally unsuspected demise came as a great shook to the community. His Honour, the Chief Justice, said that it waß not a fitting time or place to deal with the past career of Mr Seddor, but he felt sure

that the citizens of New Zealand, whatever their political opinions might be, would feel deep regret at tho sad intelligence, and he felt sure that he was only voicing the ooinion of all when he said all would feel the deepest sympathy with the family at the pathetic ending of such a great career. THAMES, June 11. The news of the death of Mr Seddon was received et the Thames, and all over the goldflelds, with profound regret. Many of the old miners, particularly those who in the early days were engaged on the West Coast, were deeply affeoted when tbe sad news wa9 made known. The opinion was generally expressed that the colony had lost a great political loader and Great Britain a humanitarian and progressive statesman.

PUBLIC MEETING IN AUCKLAND.

AUCKLAND, June 11. A publio meeting of citizens, originally oalled to consider tho question of tendering a fitting reception to Mr Seddon, was held to-day, when the following resolution was carried:—-"That this meeting of citizens of Auckland, with feelings of deepest sorrow, testifies its sense of tbe irreparable Moss to the Empire and to tbe people of tbe colony by tbe sudden death of the late Kight Hon. Riobard John Sedflon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and offers its heartfelt condolence to the widow and family in their hour of trial and affliction ; that this testimonial of our sympathy aud sorrow be forwarded by the Aotiag-Mayor to Mrs seddon and family." A number of speeches were made, eulogising tbe life and work of the late Premier.

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETfE.

WELLINGTON, June 11. The following extraordinary Gazette was published to-day:—-"It is •with much regret that I have to announce the death of the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, P. 0., Prime Minister of Mew Zealand, ou board the s.s. Oswestry Grange, at sea, on the evening of Sunday, the 10th day of June, at 23 minutes past six o'olook, fifteen hours after leaving Sydney for New Zealand. The officers of the Government service throughout the colony are relieved from duty for to-day and tomorrow, and only argent public business will be transacted until the day of the funeral, when the whole of the public out the colony will be dosed.— (Signed) William Hall-Jones."

The news of Mr Seddon's death 'caused a sensation in Masterton. Flags on the principal publio Duildings'and the Post Office were hoisted half-mast high. The children attending the Masterton District High Sobool were dismissed about 3 o'olook. The Magistrate's Court, Government Offices, a.id many of the legal offices olosed after receipt of the news. Ihe ordinary meeting of the Masterton Borough Council is to be held to-uight, but it is probable that, after passing a motion of sympathy with the late Premier's relatives, the Council will adjourn. At the Band praotice, last evening, the Masterton Band played the Dead March out of respect for the memory of the Premier. ' In the event of there being no publio demonstration uext Sunday, the Band will play the "Dead March" and "The Garland of Flowers" in the Park. »

SKETCH OF MR SBDDON'S LIFE.

AN INTERESTING CAREER.

The Hon. Richard John Seddou, Prime Minister, Colonial Treasurer, Minister of Labour, Minister of Defence, Minister in Charge of Government Insurance Department and Public Trust Office, Minister of Euduoation, and Minister for Immigration, was born at Eooleston, near St. Helens, Lancashire, on June 22nd, 1845. His father was headmaster of the Eooleston Hill Grammar Sohool for a quarter of a century. The Seddon family is one of the oldest families in Lancashire, the members being mostly farmers. His mother's maiden name was Lindsay, and she oarae from Annan, in Dumfrieshire. Her family were also farmers, young Seddon was apprenticed to the engineering firm of Daglish and Co., St. Helens, serving his time, and before reaching his 18th year he was employed as engineer in the Vauxhall Foundry, Liverpool. At this time glowing accounts of the goldflelds of Victoria reached the Old Country, and in 1863, having obtained a Board of Trade certificate, Mr Seddon sailed for Viotoria. A few days after his arrival in Melbourne he received an engagement at bis profession, but did not stay long, as the goldflelds at Bendigo proved too tempting. The engagement was thrown up in order to try his luok at the diggings. He, however, returned from Bendigo to Melbourne, a short time after and found employment at the Victorian Locomotive Works, at Williamstowu. Here he remained until the We.=t Coast goldflelds of New Zealand began to excite attention, and then the gold fever once again inluoed him to try his luok at the diggings. Obtaining leave of absence he landed in Hokitika in 1866, thence making his way up to the old Waimea diggings, where fortune favoured him. Mr Seddon and his mates were , amongst the first to introduce [hydraulics sluicing on a large scale, and for that purpose constructed reservoirs and water races to work the auriferous terraoes at the Right hand Branch. Subsequently he went into business as a storekeeper. In 1863 he returned to Viotoria and married Miss L. J., daughter of Captain Spotswood. He first essayed to enter public life in 1869, contesting seats for the Arahura Road Board, and the Westland County Council, the election for both taking place the same day. Mr Seddon was returned at the head of the poll for the Road Board, but the diggers were of opinion that ho was rather young for the

County Council. The year following his election saw him Chairman of the Board, aud be held his seat until the Board was merged. When the Oonnty was abolished, aud Westland became a Province, Mr Seddon was returned to represent the Arahura district in the Provincial Counoil, and was made Chairman of Committees, which position be retained until the abolition of the provinces in 1870. It was whilst oconpyiog this position that he made himself acquainted whh Parliamentary procedure. Westland again becoming a Couuty in 18"}7 Mr Seddon was elected a member of the Council, and then Chairman, and continued a member until ho joined the Ballance administration in 1891. In 1878 the Borough of Kumura was formed, aud Mr Seddon had the honour of being eleo'od its first Mayor, holding that office for the first two years of its existence. The selecton and laying-off of the township was entrusted, to bis direction Education and ell questions pertaining thereto nave always evoked the warm interest and sympathy of Mr Seddon, and it was,' therefore, only natural to find him a member of the Westland EJuoation Board, to wbiob he was eleoted iu 1874. He was also Chairman of tbe Board and continued to hold a seat in it until he became a Minister of the Crown. . His first attempt to enter the New Zealand Parliament was made in 1876, when he 9tood in the Liberal interest as one of the members for Hokitika, (he other candidates being Messrs R. Reid, Dungan, Barff and Button. Messrs Barff and Button were elected, but in 1878 tbe difference of opinion between Mr Button and hia constituents became so great that he tendered bis resignation. Sir George Qrey was consulted, and be favoured the candidature of bis nephew, Mr Seymour Tborne George, in securing whose return Mr Seddon took an aotive part. When the dissolution took place in 1879 it was decided to ask Sir George Grey to recommend someone to contest tbe Hokitika seat in the Liberal interest. Mr Seddon oommunioated accordingly with Sir GeorgP, and received a characteristic reply, which was to the effect that "yon are worthy, stand yourself." Mr Seddon did so, and with Mr Reid was eleoted as one of the two members for Hokitika, defeating Mr Barff (the sitting member), and Messrs Dungan and jOumming.. In 1882, when the electorate was divided, Mr Seddon successfully oonrested the Kumara seat. In 1881 be contested tbe seat again, and was again returned. At tbe next general election be was returned unopposed. He has represented Westland ever since. In January, 1891, after the defeat of the Atkinson Government in the elections- of the proceeding year, tbe Hon. Mr dallanoe selected Mr Seddon as one of bis colleagues. He was appointed Minister for Mines and Public Works. In 1893, owing to the illness of bis chief, be was obosen as Acting Premier, and firstled the House in the session of 1892. On the death of Mr Ballanoe in 1893 he became Premier.