105

EL—2B

Liberal Association, Waharoa. Sir,— 21st June, 1906. On this eventful day, the burial of our dearly beloved Premier, R. J. Seddon, I am directed by the many friends of my district to convey to Mrs. Seddon and family their deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement. Though we are unknown to these good people, our hearts go out in silent grief towards them and our colony for the great loss we have sustained, but the will of God must be done. " He works in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform " ; this is our only consolation. I have, &c, The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Robert A. Forsman, Secretary. Liberal and Labour Federation (Waikino Branch). (Telegram.) Acting-Premier, Wellington. Waikino, 15th June, 1906. Waikino Branch Federation records deepest sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family in her sore affliction. F. Flatt, Hon. Secretary. Ladies of Liberal Labour League, Waihi. (Telegram.) Hall-Jones, Premier, Wellington. Waihi, 18th June, 1906. The ladies of the Liberal Labour League desire to express their heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Seddon and family in their sad bereavement. Mrs. J. Murray, Waihi. Liberal and Labour Federation (Whangamomona Branch). (Telegram.) Acting-Premier, Wellington. Whangamomona, 21st June, 1906. Meeting Whangamomona Branch Liberal and Labour Federation passed following resolution: " Members of this branch desire to place on record our sincere regret at sudden death of the Premier and loss the Liberal party has sustained ; we also wish to express our deep sympathy with the widow and family of deceased statesman." P. Toohey, Hon. Secretary. Liberal and Labour Federation (Whetukura Branch). Dear Sir, — Whetukura, Ormondville, 7th July, 1906. At a meeting of the Whetukura Branch of the Liberal Federation, held on the 29th June, it was unanimously resolved that a vote of sympathy be given to the Acting-Premier on the loss he and the Liberal party have sustained in the death of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. A leader of such striking personality is rarely met with, and this colony should congratulate itself on producing such an Imperial figure. The Liberal measures that will ever be associated with his name have shown other parts of the Empire the direction in which progress is setting, and the highest compliment is paid to the late statesman by those older countries which are now copying our legislation. Yours, &c, The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. R. S. Chadwick, Hon. Secretary. Farmers' Union (Colonial Headquarters). Sir,— Wellington, 11th June, 1906. It is with great regret that I learn of the death of the Right Hon. the Premier, and it devolves upon me as resident officer of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, at Wellington, to express to you our deepest sympathy with the family of the late right honourable gentleman and his colleagues in the calamity which has overtaken them. Personally I feel I am unable to express adequately the appreciation of the many thousands of members of my union who admired the deceased statesman, and who acknowledged that, though he did not always see eye to eye with us, yet realised that his earnestness in endeavouring to do what was right, and in the interests of the colony as a whole, left no room for doubt as to the honesty of his intentions in matters pertaining to that portion of the community which my union voices. As an individual I have only had the pleasure of the company of the late Mr. Seddon upon one occasion, and the circumstances surrounding that particular function will ever remain as a pleasurable recollection of one of whom I had heard a lot and read a great deal, but whose expressions of goodwill towards the agricultural and pastoral industry I am associated with indicated that, had his life been prolonged, many more difficulties would have been surmounted and greater laurels added to his past successes. I have the honour to inform you that, in the unavoidable absence of our colonial president, I have been deputed to represent the New Zealand Farmers' Union at the deceased statesman's obsequies, and will be glad to hear at your convenience what arrangements have been made as to the date, time, and place of interment, and up to what time wreaths will be received. I have, &c, Angus McCurdy, Colonial Secretary of the Union. The Acting-Premier, Wellington.

14— H. 28.