61

H.—2B,

Motueka Harbour Board. Dear Sir, — Motueka, 25th June, 1906. The Motueka Harbour Board, at a recent meeting, passed the following resolution: " The Motueka Harbour Board desires to place on record an expression of its sincere sorrow and regret at the untimely death of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. The Board desires to convey to Mrs. and the members of her family its condolence and sincere sympathy for them in their sad bereavement." I have, &c, The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Premier. J. H. Rankin, Chairman. Nelson Harbour Board. Dear Mr. Hall-Jones, — 14th June, 1906. I enclose herewith a resolution of sympathy by the Nelson Harbour Board with Mrs. Seddon and her family at this the time of deep sorrow and distress in the calamity that has fallen upon them. The esteem in which Mr. Seddon was held, not only throughout New Zealand, but in far-away countries throughout the world, will, I trust, be to them a source of satisfaction and consolation after their first poignant grief has passed away. The news of Mr. Seddon's death was a terrible blow to his real friends here; for myself I can scarcely yet realise that it is true. Messrs. Trask, Reeves, McKenzie, and I will leave for Wellington on Saturday to attend the funeral. Yours, &c, Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. John Graham. Dear Mrs. Seddon, — Nelson, 14th June, 1906. With feelings of deep sorrow and sincere sympathy towards yourself and your sorely bereaved family, it is my sad duty to forward to you and ask you to accept the following resolution which was passed by the Nelson Harbour Board at a meeting held on Tuesday last, the 12th instant: "The Nelson Harbour Board records its profound sorrow because of the death of Mr. Seddon, the Right Hon. Premier of New Zealand, and expresses its high appreciation of his untiring work as a legislator on behalf of the colony during an unbroken period of over a quarter of a century, during more than half of which time the late statesman has occupied the premier position in the gift of the people in the direction «bf its affairs, with the result that he has been largely instrumental in producing and maintaining an uninterrupted period of general prosperity, greater than lias ever before been experienced by the colony, and realises that his place will, indeed, be hard to fill. The Board also respectfully tenders its sincere condolence and sympathy to the Premier's family, and especially to Mrs. Seddon, who has long been the worthy and efficient helpmate to a great man, in her irreparable bereavement." I remain, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. John Graham. New Plymouth Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Wellington. New Plymouth, 15th June, 1906. " The members of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, at their monthly meeting held this day, 15th June, desire to place on record their great regret at the loss the colony has sustained by the death of the Right Hon. the late Premier, Richard John Seddon, P.C., LL.D., and tender their heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Seddon and family in their severe and sudden bereavement." lam instructed to send this wire by the Board. Connett, Chairman. Timaru Harbour Board. (Telegram.) Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Timaru, 22nd June, 1906. I have the honour to advise you that the following motion was carried unanimously at the meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board this morning. Will you please convey same to Mrs. Seddon and family. W. J. Bardsley, Secretary. " That this Board desires to express its profound regret at the great loss which the colony has sustained by the death of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., Prime Minister of New Zealand, and to record its sincere appreciation of the unique and eminent services rendered to the colony during his long and distinguished career; further, that the sympathy of the members of the Board be conveyed to Mrs. Seddon and the members of the family at the sad and irreparable loss which has fallen upon them." Waimakiriri Harbour Board. Sir, — Kaiapoi, 12th June, 1906. I have the honour, by direction of the Board, to write to you that the Waimakiriri Harbour Board desires to express its great sorrow at the loss the colony has sustained by the painfully sudden death of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, late Premier, under whose care the colonyhas prospered so long, and whose wise and careful administration has been so progressive and productive of such immense advantage to the colony and the Empire. The Board desires to express its sympathy with the Ministry on the loss of its leader. Yours, &c, Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Edward Nevill, Secretary.