H.—2B,

Hastings Female Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 5. Mrs. Seddon. Hastings, 13th June, 1906. branch of the Female Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 5. desire to express to you their deepest heartfelt sympathy in this your time of trouble caused by the sudden death of your beloved husband, and pray that you and your family may be sustained through it all by Him who has promised never to forsake us in the hour of trial. Yours, &c, Mrs. A. F. Dillon, Secretary. Lily of the South Tent, Female Rechabites. Dear Madam, — Invercargill, 27th June, 1906. At the fortnightly meeting of our tent, the officers and members present passed the following resolution : " This tent desires to express its deepest sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and family in their recent bereavement, caused by the death of our beloved late Premier. As women taking an active part in friendly society work in Southland, we realise and appreciate the grand work the late Premier has done for New Zealand, and as a benefit society have always felt that his sympathies were with us in assisting our fellow-creatures." Kindly accept our sincerest sympathy. On behalf of the Lily of the South Tent, Female Rechabites, I remain, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. • Ellen M. Smith, Secretary. Murihiku Tent, No. 27, 1.0. R. Dear Madam, — Invercargill, 25th June, 1906. At a fortnightly meeting of our lodge, held last Friday, the following resolution was passed, and we were instructed by those present to convey it to you : " This lodge desires to express its deepest sympathy with Mrs. Seddon and the members of her family in the recent bereavement caused by the death of our late Premier." As a friendly society we realise that we have had c\ r ery assistance and sympathy from the late Premier. We greatly deplore his loss to you and the whole colony, and ask you to accept our sincerest sympathy. We remain, &c, R. McCreath, Chief Ruler. Mrs. Seddon, Wellington. J. H., Secretary. Unity Tent, 1.0. R. Dear Madam, — New Plymouth, 14th June, 1906. I am requested to convey to you the following resolution.passed at the meeting of the Unity ' Tent, 1.0. R., on the 12th instant : " The officers and members of the Unity Tent, 1.0. R., desire to place on record their profound sorrow at the loss this colony has sustained through the death of the Premier, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, a statesman of high degree and keen foresight, and expresses to Mrs. Seddon and family their sincere sympathy in their sad hour of bereavement. I am, &c, Mrs. Seddon. J. Whitaker, Secretary. Pride of Auckland Lodge, No. 80. Dear Madam,— Summer Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, 19th June, 1906. I am instructed by the members of the Good Templars Lodge, named the Pride of Auckland, located in this city, to extend to you and your family, wherever they may be, our sympathy and condolence with you at this time at the sad and irreparable loss—such loss not being only yours, but a ' national loss, as all deplore this loss—but New Zealand has lost that which I am doubtful she will never again have such a faithful, forward man. One thing I must mention, that was the passing of an Act by him for the old-age pensioners, who will never forget, and it is hoped this work, at any rate, will never be erased from the statute-book. Your dear husband, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, will ever be held up as New Zealand's most prominent statesman by me as long as I live. In conclusion I trust that Almighty God will be with you and yours to the end of time. I remain, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon. Geo. W. Wilcock, Secretary. International Order of Good Templers, Tauranga. Dear Madam,— 12th June, 1906. I am instructed by the above to convey to you their unanimous expression of condolence in this your deep grief, and to assure you of the deepest sympathy felt for you and family. We share with you the grief caused by the loss of him who ever sought the welfare and the betterment of his fellow-man. Truly his life was spent in endeavouring to mitigate the difficulties of life, especially in the interests of working-class. May the great Eternal Comforter be your stay in this time of severe trial. I have, &c, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, Wellington. J. B. Chappell, Hon. Secretary.

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