145

H.—2B

New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited). Sir,— Wellington, 12th June, 1906. We have received the following cable message from our London Office : " At a special board meeting called for the purpose the following resolution was unanimously passed : ' New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited), desires to express its sorrow at the death of the eminent statesman and great New Zealand leader, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and to record its appreciation of the valued services he has rendered to the industries of the colony. The Directors also tender their deepest sympathy to Mrs. Seddon and family.—William Charles Dawes, Chairman.' " The company's local directors and the Chief Inspector for New Zealand, on behalf of themselves and of the company's staff in the colony, sincerely join in this expression of appreciation and sympathy. We have, &c, , TT ° „ ' \ Local Directors. Wm. Fraser, ) M. Macpherson, Chief Inspector for New Zealand. Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Union Company Directors. (Telegram.) Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, Wellington. Dunedin, 11th June, 1906. My directors wish express their deep sorrow on receiving news of the death of Mr. Seddon. C. Holdsworth, Union Company. Directors Waihi Gold-mining Company. (Telegram.) Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, Wellington. Waihi, 13th June, 1906. Have received cabled advice from the board of directors of Waihi Gold-mining Company asking me to convey to you their deep regret at the death of the great New Zealand Premier, the Right Hon. Richard Seddon ; also asking that their respectful condolences and sympathy should be tendered to Mrs. Seddon. As the son of a former Premier, would like to have this opportunity of adding my own feelings of sorrow and sympathy. Berkeley H. Stafford, Attorney, Waihi Gold-mining Company. Employees of Wanganui Sash and Door Company. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Wanganui, 19th June, 1906. The employees of the Wanganui Sash and Door Company wish to convey to Mrs. Seddon and family their deepest sympathy in the present sad bereavement, also to place on record their appreciation of the good work done by the late Mr. Seddon for this colony.

FREEMASONS. (TO MRS. SEDDON.) Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Dear Madam, — Grand Secretary's Office, Hereford Street, Christchurch, 29th June, 1906. I am instructed by the board of general purposes of Grand Lodge to forward to you an extract from the minutes of a meeting of-the board held on 25th instant as follows : " That we record our profound sorrow and regret at the untimely death of our beloved and distinguished brother, the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, Past Grand Master, and that a copy of this minute be conveyed to Mrs. Seddon, together with an expression of our deepest fraternal sympathy with her and her children in this their darkest hour of sorroyv." May the Great Architect of the Universe give you strength to bear this sore trial, and enable you to bow with resignation to His will, remembering that your parting is not eternal, but that in the breaking light of the resurrection morn and beneath the benignant bend of the All-seeing Eye you will meet again ; meet to part no more. In the hearts of his fellow-men your dear husband will ever dwell as one who lived respected and honoured, and yvho died universally regretted. As freemasons we have pride in such a record as that of our departed brother. I have received from a great many lodges throughout New Zealand, and from many grand lodges and lodges beyond the seas, letters and telegrams conveying their loving sympathy yvith you ; amongst them is one from a lodge in Liverpool (England), of which Bro. Seddon's cousins are members. Oh Glorious destiny ! Oh reward immortal! On every page that bears his name, On eve-y tongue that speaks his fame, In lowliest cot and state!iest portal, In every line from history's pen Who runs may read, "He loved his fellow-men." I am, &c., Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. M. Nichol, P.G.M., Grand Secretary.

19— H. 28.