159

H.—2B

Acorn Lodge, No. 4, U.A.O.D. Dear Madam, — Invercargill, 21st June, 1906. I am instructed by the above lodge to forward you the following resolution passed on the 20th June, 1906, at the half-yearly meeting : " That the secretary forward to Mrs. R. J. Seddon the deep sympathy of the lodge in her sudden bereavement by the death of her late husband, the Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, and indorses all the good said of him, and feel that the masses have lost a friend and sympathizer not easily replaced. I have, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. W. Anderson, Secretary. Anchor Lodge, No. 9, U.A.O.D. Dear Madam, — Druids' Hall, Woolston, 23rd June, 1906. We, the members of the Anchor Lodge, desire to tender to you our heartfelt sympathy in your great bereavement, and to express our affectionate regard for our late Premier and our grateful remembrance of all the good things he did for New Zealand. For the members of the Anchor Lodge, I remain, &c, John Rhodes, Secretary. Mrs. R. J. Seddon. Brunner Druids' Lodge. (Telegram.) Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. Brunnerton, 18th June, 1906. The members of the Brunner Druids' Lodge tender their deepest sympathy to you and your family in your great bereavement. As a friendly society we feel that we have lost a true brother, and as a mining community we have lost our best friend —one whose actions on our behalf has proved his sterling worth. John Ward, Secretary. Ellesmere Lodge, No. 17, U.A.O.D. Madam, — Doyleston, 21st June, 1906. On behalf of the officers and members of the Ellesmere Lodge, No. 17, U.A.0.D., I am directed to convey to you and your family our deepest sympathy and condolence with you in your recent bereavement in the loss of your husband, the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon. I also trust that the many expressions of sympathy which you have received may be the means of softening the blow, for we all feel that the loss of your beloved husband is an irreparable loss to all friendly societies, he always doing his utmost to further the interest of all. I have, &c, Mrs. Seddon. H. Quartermaine, Secretary. Greymouth Druids' Lodge. (Telegram.) Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Greymouth, 15th June, 1906. The members of the Greymouth Druids' Lodge respectfully ask you and the members of your family to accept their sincere sympathy with you in your sad bereavement. As a friendly society we feel we have indeed lost a sincere friend. Henry West, Secretary. Makino Lodge of Druids. Dear Madam,— Feilding, 20th June, 1906. I have been requested, on behalf of the Makino Lodge of Druids, to convey to you a sincere and heartfelt expression of condolence with yourself and family in the great loss you have sustained by the untimely death of your dearly beloved husband, the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. We trust that in this your hour of affliction your grief will be overcome by the consolation that we all deeply sympathize with you in the loss of one whose labours will be of everlasting benefit to our colony and Empire. I have, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. Hknry R. Hill, Secretary. Mistletoe Lodge, No. 3, U.A.O.D. Dear Madam, — Christchurch, 12th June, 1906. I am instructed by the above lodge to forward to you the following resolution passed at the meeting held on the 11th June, 1906 : '" That this lodge desires to express its sincere and deep sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family in their time of great sorrow, and also its deep regret and sorrow in the loss to the country of so able a statesman and true friend of the people of New Zealand." I remain, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. G. T. Batley, Secretary.