H.—2B

146

United Board of Inquiry. Madam, — Secretary's Office, St. Augustine Hall, Manchester Street, 12th June, 1906. At the regular meeting of the above board held last evening the folloyving resolution was moved and carried, viz. : " That this meeting of representatives of all the masonic lodges in Christchurch desires to place on record its sincere regret at the death of M.W. Bro. R. J. Seddon, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and expresses its heartfelt sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family in their sad bereavement; and that a copy of this resolution be conveyed to them." In accordance therewith it is my melancholy privilege to do so. With sincere sympathy, Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. T. C. Bingham, Hon. Secretary. Albert Edward Royal Arch Chapter, No. 6. Dear Madam, — Lyttelton, 10th July, 1906. At a convocation of the above chapter held last evening it was resolved : " That a very sincere vote of sympathy be passed to you and yours in the great loss sustained of Companion the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon." ' Of our late esteemed companion it may be well said " that his works do go before him," and I will only add that we had learnt to not only respect him, but love him. That you may be sustained by our Great and Loving Father and comforted by the universal sympathy shown, is our best wish for you in your sorrow. Believe me, (fee, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington." E. Eliot Chambers, Scribe E. Lodge Arrow Kilwinning. Dear Madam, — Arrowtown, 23rd June, 1906. At a special meeting of my lodge held on Thursday last for the purpose eulogistic reference was made to your late husband as a statesman and a politician, and no less as a freemason. It was recognised that freemasonry has lost by his sad death a prominent and upright figure in the craft. The following resolution which I was directed to convey to you was then passed : " That the members of Lodge Arrow Kilwinning record their deep regret at the loss New Zealand has sustained by the death of the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, Premier of the colony, and formerly most Worshipful Grand Master of the New Zealand Lodge of Freemasons. Also that a letter be written to Mrs. Seddon expressing our sympathy with herself and family in their great loss, a loss which deeply felt by them, is also keenly regretted by us, his brethren in freemasonry and admirers of his unselfish devotion to the welfare of New Zealand." Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. George H. Romans, Secretary. .Brunnerton Advance Lodge, No. 61. Dear Madam, — Brunnerton, 15th June, 1906. At a lodge of sorrow held last night, in mourning for the loss of illustrious and beloved Past Grand Master Bro. Seddon, I was instructed to convey to you our heartfelt and deepest sympathy in this your hour of terrible grief. When your loving husband visited our lodge some time ago Bro. Scott, in proposing his health, stated that while memory lasted Bro. Seddon would live in the hearts of his people; and, in responding, Bro. Seddon said that he would never wish any kinder thing to be said of him, and that the supreme object of his life was to so live and act that he might live in the hearts of his people. Never in the history of the world has a great statesman so completely attained his ideal, and the universal grief of the Australian Colonies shows how well the people have appreciated the great love he bore them. To yourself and family we can only hope and pray that the Great Architect of the Universe will grant you aid and consolation in your most sad and sorrowful bcreayement. Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon. Robert Taylor, Hon. Secretary. Lodge Thistle No. 113. Dear Madam, — Ashburton, 19th June, 1906. I herewith, on behalf of Lodge Thistle, No. 113, convey to you the following resolution duly passed at a special meeting : " That the heartfelt sympathy of Thistle Lodge members be conveyed to Mrs. Seddon in her recent irreparable loss, and the brethren express regret at the loss of so good a man and worthy brother, and I kindly ask you to accept the same." I have, &c, Mrs. Seddon. E. C. Beech, Worshipful Master. Canterbury Masonic Lodge, No. 1048. Dear Madam, — Christchurch, 18th June, 1906. At a meeting of this lodge held on Friday the 15th June, 1906, the following resolution was passed : " That the members of he Canterbury Masonic Lodge, No. 1048, E.G., tender their heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Seddon and family in their sudden bereavement, and deplore the great loss they, the colony, and the craft have suffered by the untimely death of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon." Yours, &c. Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Fred G. Hobbs, Secretary.