H.—2B

81

Wellington Employers' Association. Dear Madam, — No. 8 Empire Chambers, Willis Street, Wellington, 12th June, 1906. Permit me on behalf of the employers of Wellington to join in the universal expressions of sorrow and regret at the painfully sudden passing-away of your great and good husband, and to express to you and your family the deepest sympathy of the members of this association. Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Thomas Ballinger, President. Southland Employers' Association. (Telegram.) Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Invercargill, 15th June, 1906. The members of the Southland Employers' Association at their annual meeting desire to convey to Mrs. Seddon their keen sense of the great loss the colony has sustained in the death of Mr. R. J. Seddon. and tender their heartfelt sympathy to yourself and family in your irreparable loss. Richard Allen, Secretary. Wellington United Furniture Trades Industrial Union of Workers. Dear Mrs. Seddon, — Trades Council Chambers, 16th June, 1906. On behalf of the above'union of workers I beg to convey to you our deepest sympathy and regret at the great loss sustained by you and your family by the untimely death of your most esteemed husband and father. We share with you your grief and deeply mourn our loss of a great friend. Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Geo. Janes, Secretary. Dunedin United Furniture Trades Union. Dear Madam, — Dunedin, 14th June, 1906. The Dunedin United Furniture Trades Union extends their sympathy and condolence with you and your family in your sad bereavement through the loss of your noble husband and father, and assures you that while the nation mourns his loss the whole-hearted sympathy of the people are with you in the hour of your distress ; and we hope the devoted wife who has been a tower of strength to him may be enabled to bear this great trial and continue to be the blessing you have ever been to all who have come within the sphere of your influence —a fitting partner for a noble life. I have, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon. William Hood, Secretary. Dunedin United Furniture Trades Industrial Union of Workers. Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. A general meeting of the Dunedin United Furniture Trades Union, held on the 14th June, 1906, passed the following resolution : " That the union deeply deplore the great loss the community have sustained through the death of the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon who, by his untiring devotion to duty and manly qualities, has earned him the title of the greatest of democratic leaders and statesmen." The meeting then adjourned in respect to the memory of the deceased statesman. William Hood, Secretary. Christchurch Gardeners' Industrial Union of Workers. Madam, — Inglis Buildings, 20th Juno, 1906. The above union wishes to express its sincere regret at the death of the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, and their deep sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family. I am, <fee, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Andrew Rugg, Secretary. Christchurch Hairdressers' Union. (Telegram.) Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Christchurch, 16th June, 1906. The Hairdressers' Union conveys to you and your family its deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. L. Brian, Secretary. Wellington Provincial Industrial Association. Dear Madam, — Victoria Street, Wellington, 13th June, 1906. I am directed by the members of the general committee of this association to respectfully tender to you and your family sincerest sympathy in your sad bereavement. Your great loss, caused by the death of so loving a husband, and to your family of so devoted a father, is also a colonial loss. It may perhaps prove some consolation to you to know that the whole

11— H. 28.