153

H.—2B

Kilwinning Lodge, No. 18, N.Z.C Sir,— Freemasons' Hall, Patea, 20th June, 1906. I have the honour to forward herewith a short letter of sympathy from Lodge Patea Kilwinning, No. 18, which I am directed to ask you to present on behalf of the lodge to the bereaved widow and children of our late worthy and Right Worshipful Bro. R. J. Seddon. I have, &c, The Hon. the Acting-Premier, Wellington. Gervase D. Hamerton, P.M., Secretary. Sir,— Patea, 18th June, 1906. The Worshipful Master, officers, and brethren of Lodge Patea Kilwinning, No. 18, N.Z.C, beg to tender to Mrs. Seddon and her family their heartfelt sympathy in the irreparable loss which they, in the first degree, and afterwards every one in this country, have suffered in the sudden and untoyvard call to the Grand Lodge above of the late Premier, R. J. Seddon, an unerring guide, a great administrator, a powerful democratic leader, a true friend of the toiler, a worthy mason, and Past Grand Master of masonry in this territory, whose name will be cherished and revered throughout the territory whenever and wherever masons meet. We have, &c, C. A. Larcombe, W.M. R. W. Hamerton, S.W. W. H. Simmons, J.W. The Hon. the Acting-Premier, Wellington. Gervase D. Hamerton, P.M., Secretary. St. Andrew Kilwinning Lodge, No. 79. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Wanganui, 15th June, 1906. Please convey to Mrs. Seddon and family the deepest sympathy of the brethren of St. Andrew Kilwinning Lodge on the death of our late Grand Master. Our departed brother's life yvas emblematical of the truest principles of freemasonry, and one that will live for ever in the memory of the brethren. We commend his widow and family to the Great Architect of the Universe for comfort in their hour of affliction. James T. Muir, Secretary. St. George Masonic Lodge, No. 1801, E.C. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Dargaville, 19th June, 1906. Kindly convey the heartfelt sympathy of the members of this lodge to Mrs. Seddon and family in their bereavement. S. Haroldson, Worshipful Master. St. Thomas Kilwinning, No. 83. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, Wellington. Kaitangata, 15th June, 1906. Kindly convey to Mrs. Seddon and family, in their bereavement, sincere sympathy from the brethren of the Lodge St. Thomas Kilwinning, 83. The colony has indeed sustained a great loss by the death of our Past Grand Master. P. Sounness, Secretary. Corinthian Lodge, No. 1655, E.C. Dear Sir,— Thames, 12th June, 1906. At this evening's meeting of this lodge most feeling reference was made to the great loss sustained by the colony as a whole, and the craft in particular, by the death of our worthy and distinguished brother, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and I was directed to request you on behalf of your brethren of this lodge to convey to Mrs. Seddon and her family the sincerest sympathy of the members of Lodge Corinthian. Thanking you in anticipation of your ready acquiescence in the unanimous wish of the brethren, and sympathizing with you personally in what I am sure will be a great grief to you, I am, &c, R. H. Ellis, P.M., Secretary. The Hon. James McGowan, Minister of Mines and Justice, Wellington.

20-H. 28.