H.—2B,

148

Lodge Manawatu Kilwinning, No. 47. Dear Madam, — Palmerston North, 18th July, 1906. I am directed by my lodge to convey to you its deepest sympathy in connection with the death of your esteemed husband, our Past Grand Master. I also wish to inform you that our lodge held a " lodge of sorrow " in memory of your esteemed husband on Friday last, which was attended by a large gathering of masons from all parts of our district, yvho have requested me to convey to you their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. Believe me, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Chas. S. Rush, Secretary. Masterton Lodge, No. 19. (Telegram.) Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Auckland. Masterton, 11th June, 1906. Accept warmest sympathy from officers and members of Masterton Lodge, No. 19. Andrew Nicol, W.M. Masonic Lodge Mawhera. (Telegram.) Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. " Greymouth, 14th June, 1906. Masonic Lodge Mawhera offers sincere sympathy with yourself and family in your sad bereavement. W. J. Watson, W.M. Lodge Mo a, No. 110. Dear Madam, — Freemasons' Hall, Inglewood, 21st July, 1906. I am directed by the Worshipful Master to convey to you the following copy of a resolution passed by the above lodge at its first meeting after the death of the late Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, P.C., LL.D. : " That the members of this lodge tender their sincere sympathy to the widow and family of the late Bro. R. J. Seddon, P.G.M., in their sad and irreparable bereavement." Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. T. E. Hamerton, P.G.D., Secretary. Ngamotu Lodge, New Plymouth. Dear Madam,— 3rd July, 1906. I am directed by the Worshipful Master, officers, and brethren of Ngamotu Lodge to convey to you their sincere sympathy with yourself and family in the great loss you have sustained by the death of our M.W. Past Grand Master, Bro. Richard John Seddon. .Words or expressed sentiments are but poor consolation in such a bereavement, but we have the hope and that hope creates in us a faith that the Most High does all things well, and although at present we feel His hand has been very heavy upon us, still our comfort is this, that " Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." y ours, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Walter H. Haddrell, P.M., Secretary. Lodge Ngapara, No. 68, N.Z.C. Madam, — Ngapara, 4th July, 1906. Kindly accept from Lodge Ngapara (masonic) an assurance of deepest sympathy with you and your family in your recent sad bereavement. I am, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Thos. Paterson, Secretary. Opotiki Lodge. (Telegram.) Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Opotiki, 12th June, 1906 Worshipful Master and brethren of Lodge Opotiki deeplysympathize in your sad bereavement'and great loss to you and yours. N. Rostgard, Secretary. New Zealand Pacific Lodge, No. 2, Kilbirnie. Dear Madam,— Wellington, 14th June, 1906. I am instructed to inform you'that resolution was unanimously passed at the meeting of this lodge held last night: " That this lodge, being the first masonic lodge instituted in New Zealand, tenders to the wife and family of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Past Grand Master, its most sincere expressions of grief and condolence in the irreparable loss they, as well as New Zealand and freemasonry, have sustained in his sudden and unexpected death." I have, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon. J. H. Worboys, Secretary.