13

fl.—B.

In moving the motion, the Chairman- remarked that.every one who had the welfare of the colony at heart could not but regret the loss of such a man as the Hon. John Ballance, and, whatever their political opinions, they must still express their appreciation of him as a man and a statesman. . He was an earnest man, an honest man, and always true to his party, and they could appreciate such an honest and earnest man. He hoped that the Almighty would sanctify and guide Mrs. Ballance, and lighten her trouble. These remarks were cordially indorsed by the other members of Council. > I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance, Wellington. John S. Kennedy, County Clerk.

The County Clerk, Selwyn, to Mrs. Ballance. Madam,— Christchurch, 17th May, 1893. At a meeting of the Selwyn County Council, held this day, the following resolution, was agreed to unanimously, and I was instructed to convey the same to you : Resolved, " That this Council expresses its sincere regret at the death of the Hon. John Ballance, the Premier of the colony, and desires to convey its deepest sympathy to Mrs. Ballance." I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance, Wanganui. W. Jameson, County Clerk.

The County Clerk, Pahiatua, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— Pahiatua, 18th May, 1893. I have the honour to inform you that the Council, at its meeting on Saturday last, passed a resolution expressing its deep regret at the loss the colony had,sustained in the death of the late Premier, the Hon. John Ballance, and of sympathy with Mrs. Ballance in her great bereavement. Mr. Ballance's name will ever be gratefully remembered in the County of Pahiatua, more especially in connection with the special-settlement associations and the village settlements; but, apart from these, he had been a true friend to the county generally, and was willing, with the assistance of his colleagues, to do his utmost in the interests of settlement. Kindly convey to Mrs. Ballance the Council's sympathy with her in her great loss. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. George Moore, County Clerk.

The County Clerk, Pahiatua, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sib,— ■ Pahiatua, 18th May, 1893. In addition to the official letter from the Council, I would like to express my own deep regret at the death of Mr. Ballance. ' My acquaintance with Mr. Ballance was of over ten years' standing, and both my wife and myself have enjoyed intellectual contests with him on social, religious, and scientific subjects. His death, therefore, is a calamity to us, and is keenly felt. .• . I am, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. George Moore, County Clerk.

The Chairman, Hutt County Council, to Mrs. Ballance

Madam,— Hutt County Council Office, Wellington, 10th May, 1893. The Chairman and members of this Council desire to express their sincere sympathy with you in your great bereavement, and to convey to you their deep regret of the great loss sustained by the Colony through the untimely death of its late Premier, who had so ably and devotedly served it as a statesman and a colonist, and they trust that the unanimous expressions of sympathy and high regard of the people of the colony will in some small measure help and comfort you in your sorrow. I have, &c, Mrs. Ballance. , ' Stephen Lancaster, Chairman.

BOROUGH COUNCILS. Mr. S. Skerman, Mayor, Marton, to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) 29th April, 1893. Borough Council, at special meeting, desire me to ask you to convey Mrs. Ballance and Ministry sincere regret at loss she and colony have sustained in loss of late Premier.

Mr. G. R. RuDKiN,Town Clerk, Kumara, to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. Council passed resolution. of profound regret at the sad termination of the c Premier's illness. Kindly convey to Mrs. Ballance and Government the heartfelt sympathy of Kumara.

Mr. E. W.. Wade, Mayor, Hokitika, to the. Hon. E. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. Kindly convey Mrs. Ballance the heartfelt sympathy of the inhabitants of this town and my own in her sad bereavement. . , . • ~,...,...'.

Mr. W. R. Kettle, Mayor, Greymouth, to the, Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. The Council of the Borough of Greymouth desire me to convey to you their' sentiments of deep regret at the loss sustained by the colony through the death of the Premier, the Hon. J. Ballance, and request that you will express to Mrs. Ballance their feelings of deep sympathy. ■ '-■-