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Wairau Lodge, No. 42, N.Z.C. Dear Madam, — Blenheim, sth July, 1906. I am instructed by the Worshipful Master and brethren of the Lodge Wairau to convey to you their deep sympathy in your present affliction consequent on the death of your late husband and a prominent member of our masonic order. Trusting that the Great Architect and Ruler of the Universe will watch over, guide, and protect you and your family in the hour of your affliction, and throughout this life. I am, &c, Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Saml. A. Connolly, P.M., Secretary. Lodge Wairoa, No. 55. Madam, — Cleveland, Auckland, 13th July, 1906. At the last meeting of the above lodge of freemasons the following resolution of condolence was carried unanimously, the brethren standing in silence : " That the Worshipful Master, officers, and brethren of Lodge Wairoa, No. 55, desire to express their extreme regret at the lamented death of their Past Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro. Richard John Seddon, and furthermore to extend to his widow and family their sympathy and condolence." I have, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Frank Jamieson, Worshipful Master. Lodge Waterloo, No. 13. Dear Mrs. Seddon, — Wellington, 12th June, 1906. On behalf of Lodge Waterloo, No. 13, Worshipful Brother J. D. Sievwright, W.M., I have to convey to you and your family the condolences and sympathy of the members of this lodge in the sad and irrevocable loss you and they have suffered. lam enclosing a copy of the W.M.s remarks in moving this resolution to the Lodge, and yve pray the Great Architect of the Universe to comfort you and give you peace. Yours, &c, Mrs. Seddon, City. Joseph Hicks, P.M., Secretary. Worshipful Brother J. D. Sievwright, W.M., of Waterloo, spoke as follows : " Brethren, I rise to make a brief reference to the sad and awful calamity which has befallen this country. The death of our most Worshipful Brother R. J. Seddon is a loss which most men in this country will regret, while hundreds and thousands will mourn his death as their friend and benefactor. As a whole the people of New Zealand owe much to the late Premier, and his name will be held in esteem and affection although he himself is now no more. The last time I saw him was in Christchurch at the Grand Lodge meeting, and there he was genial and happy as was his wont. Yet one could not help remarking the pallid face of the Premier, and a certain contraction indicative of overwork and fatigue. Since then Brother Seddon visited Australia, and the triumphal character of his tour of the Commonwealth has been followed with interest and gratification by us all. We all expected that our former Grand Master would return to the field of his public glories fresh and vigorous, but the hand of Death fell upon him, when, as far as we know, it was least expected, and when his life's work was not as -yet, we had hoped, completed. That so distinguished a citizen and brother should be cut down in the zenith of his power and usefulness reads to us all a striking and a solemn lesson. While it impresses us with the uncertainty of life, it should move us to greater efforts as was his lofty ambition to minimise the sum of human woe and benefit all who came within the sphere of his helpful, sympathetic, and large-hearted nature. His career as a freemason was worthy of emulation, and few may follow in his footsteps as a citizen and a public man. Such a man as M.W. Bro. Seddon has inspired poets to fines of eloquent appropriateness : — Rich in saving common-sense, And, as the greatest only are, In his simplicity sublime. A good grey head which all men knew, A voice f'om which their omens all men drew, O, iron nerve to occasion tru - ?, 0, fall'n at length that tower of strength, Which stood four s _uare to all the winds that blew. Truly, this day a great man has fallen in Israel. The colony loses a hero and a statesman. The masonic fraternity has had a column struck from its temple. We have lost an elder brother and a friend. But in our loss let us not forget those who are nearest and dearest to him, in the persons of his widow, his children, and other suffering relatives. I therefore move, That Lodge Waterloo places on record its deep sense of sorrow at the calamity which has befallen this country by the death of our most worshipful brother, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.G.M., and that a letter of condolence and sympathy be sent to Mrs. Seddon and family in the irrevocable loss they have this day sustained." At the instance of the W.M. all brethren present rose and expressed their sympathy and approval by voting unanimously and in silence.