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H.—2B

Geraldine Road Board. Dear Sir, — June, 1906. Kindly convey the following resolution to Mrs. Seddon, on behalf of the Geraldine Road Board: "It is with unspeakable regret that the Board are made aware of the sudden death of the Premier of the colony, and desire to bear testimony to his great ability and many sterling qualities as Minister of the Crown. Mr. Seddon has not only held office longer than any of his predecessors, but has all through his Ministerial career been most earnest and energetic in his efforts to promote the welfare of New Zealand. By the Premier's death a vacancy will be caused in the colony's politics which it will be most difficult to fill. This Board desires to condole with Mrs. Seddon and her family in their sad bereavement." Yours, &c, The Hon. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, Wellington. Thos. Dyer, Clerk. Heathcote Road Board. Dear Sir, — Heathcote Road Board Office, 23rd July, 1906. I have the honour, by direction of the Heathcote Road Board, to forward the following resolution passed at its last meeting, with a request that it should be forwarded to Mrs. Seddon: " That this Board records its appreciation of the splendid services rendered to the colony and the Empire by the late Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, whose death we all deplore, and to express to Mrs. Seddon and family our sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement." I have, &c, Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. S. R. Wright, Clerk. Katikati Road Board. Dear Mr. Hall-Jones, — Martray, Katikati, Sunday, 24th June, 1906. With feelings of the most sincere personal regret and pain, I forward herewith copy of a resolution adopted by the Katikati Road Board at its ordinary meeting, held yesterday. Though I could not follow Mr. Seddon in all his political views, yet I could not but esteem and admire him for his many many good qualities, and regard his removal as the loss of a friend, and almost a national disaster. Yours, &c, Geo. Vesey Stewart, Chairman. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Premier's Office, Wellington. (Copy of Resolution.) " That the Katikati Road Board, at its first meeting since the melancholy death of the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., expresses its most sincere regret at the severe loss sustained by the colony. Mr. Seddon was a born leader of men, an enthusiastic Imperialist, and a sincere lover of his adopted country. The members of the Board tender their most heartfelt sympathy and condolence to Mrs. Seddon and her family in their sore bereavement, and the irreparable loss they have sustained." Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board. Dear Sir, — Rangiora, 19th June, 1906. I have the honour, by direction of my Board, to forward you the following resolutions, which were passed at their meeting to-day: " That this Board places on record its deep sense of the great loss sustained by the colony and the Empire by the death of the late Premier, the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon "; also, "That this Board convey to Mrs. Seddon and family its sincere sympathy in their sad and sudden bereavement." Kindly convey the latter resolution to Mrs. Seddon, and oblige. Yours, &c, Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, Wellington. James Marshall, Clerk. Mangakahia Road Board. (Telegram.) Hon. Wm. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Poroti, 19th June, 1906. The Chairman and members of the Mangakahia Road Board wish to express their deepest regret at the death of the late Premier, also their sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family in their bereavement. Angus J. McKay, Chairman. Road Board and Residents of Maunu. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, Wellington. Whangarei, 14th June, 1906. In absence of Chairman, Maunu Road Board, I convey deepest regret of Chairman, members, and residents Maunu Road District at great loss New Zealand has sustained through the death of our honoured and loved Premier, and tender sincerest sympathy to Mrs. Seddon and family in their great sorrow, J. McKinnon, Clerk.