H.—B

5

Mr. E. Hamlin to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th April, 1893. Just received your painful wire. Deeply regret its contents. Kindly convey my heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Ballance.

Mr. J. M. Sheea to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th April, 1893. Thanks for your thoughtful bulletins during the illness of the late Premier. His loss is not only lamented by our party, but is felt by the whole colony. The women of New Zealand feel most for Mrs. Ballance, who has set them an example of a devoted wife. Mrs. Shera feels acutely for her in her first hours of lonely widowhood. May God console her.

Mr. T. Thompson to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Auckland, 28th April, 1893. Deep-pelt and universal feelings of sorrow for the loss of our Premier. Please wire what are the funeral arrangements, urgent.

Mr. James Mills to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 28th April, 1893. Deeply regret to learn of the death of Mr. Ballance. The colony has suffered a great loss. Pray convey to Mrs. Ballance deepest expressions of sympathy from wife and self.

Mr. Scobie Mackenzie to the Hon. J. McKenzie. (Telegram.) Alexandra South, 27th April, 1893. Deeply grieved and shocked at your communication. My sincere sympathy is with you all. Only to-day I wired hopefully to Mrs. Ballance. At such a time all political feeling dies, and gives way to'sorrow'and sympathy.

Mr. E. Lake to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Ohaupo, 28th April, 1893. Very much regret that steamer arrangements render it impossible for me to show last tribute of respect to deceased Premier.

Mr. Arthur Guinness to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Greymouth, 28th April, 1893. Sad news of our chief's death caused great gloom here. I send my sincerest sympathy to you and other Ministers. How is Mrs. Ballance ? I wired her last night.

The Hon. T. Fergus to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 28th April, 1893. Deeply regret Premier's death, and am wiring Mrs. Ballance.

Mr. W. Caencross to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Mosgiel, 29th April, 1893. Kindly convey to Mrs. Ballance my heartfelt sympathy as one who was proud to be known as a political follower of her noble husband.

Mr. J. W. Kelly to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Invercargill, 28th April, 1893. Feiends here desire you to convey to Mrs. Ballance their deep sympathy in her bereavement. All feel as if some near relative had been suddenly cut off.

Mr. T. Pratt to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Seacliff, 28th April, 1893. Since receiving your last memo, am very sorry to hear that Mr. Ballance has passed away. Convey regrets to Mrs. Ballance. Kindly'advise as to where and when funeral takes place, as would like to attend if possible. Reply Seacliff.

Mr. T. Duncan to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Pukeuri Junction, 29th April, 1893. Excuse absence chief's funeral. No notice special before passing. Greatly disappointed. Communicate same to Mrs. Ballance.

Mr. R. Thompson to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Whangarei, 27th April, 1893. I am unable to find words to give expression to the deep feeling of sorrow caused by your wire.

Mr. R. Meredith to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) Oust, 29th April, 1893. Alas! our chief gone. Tidings causing national calamity. Deeply sympathize with Mrs. Ballance.