H.—B,

16

Mr. G. H. Swan, Mayor, Napier, to Mrs. Ballance. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. On behalf of the burgesses of Napier, the Mayor and Borough Council desire to express their deep regret at the loss you and the colony have sustained, and their sincere sympathy with you in your bereavement. -

Mr. W. Crowthee, Mayor, Auckland, to Mrs. Ballance. (Telegram.) ' 28th April, 1893. At the unanimous request of the City Council, and on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, permit me to tender our heartfelt sorrow and deep regret at the very sad and irreparable loss of your dear husband. We pray that Almighty God will give you health and strength to bear up against this very lamentable bereavement.

Mr. C. Haynes, Mayor, Dunedin, to Mrs. Ballance. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. As Mayor of Dunedin City, I beg to express my heartfelt sorrow at your sad bereavement.

Mr. D. Macfaelane, Mayor, Invercargill, to Mr. A. M. Smith. (Telegram.) 28th April, 1893. Boeough Council have authorised me to express their heartfelt sympathy with Mrs. Ballance in. her bereavement. Look upon Mr. Ballance's death as a most serious loss to the colony. Kindly convey this to her.

The Town Cleek, Winton, to the Hon. the Premier. Sir,— Town Clerk's Office, Winton, Bth May, 1893. The Winton Borough Council direct me to send you the following extract from the minutes of their meeting of the sth instant regarding the death of the late lamented Hon. Mr. Ballance. The Councillors, I may state, all expressed themselves as being in entire sympathy with the motion :— "Death of the Hon. the Premier. —-Before commencing business, his Worship moved, 'That this Council express its regret at the death of the Hon. Mr. Ballance, which it views as a national calamity, and directs a minute to be made to that effect, and an extract of same to be sent to the Hon. the present Premier, and a letter of condolence to be sent to Mrs. Ballance.' Seconded by Councillor Starkey, and unanimously carried." Will you kindly convey to Mrs. Ballance the attached letter, as I do not know her address. I am, &c, The Hon. the Premier. W. Russell, Town Clerk.

. ■■-■•-. ■ . The Mayoe, Petone, to Mrs. Ballance. Deae Madam, — Petone, 10th May, 1893. On behalf of the Petone Borough Council, I desire to inform you that the Council, on Monday evening, unanimously passed the following resolution : " That this Council desires to place on record its appreciation of the great public services rendered to New Zealand by the late Premier, the Hon. J. Ballance, and recognises the many high and noble qualities exhibited by him in the service of his country ; and, further, desires to offer to Mrs. Ballance, with the greatest respect, the sincere sympathy of the Council in her loss." I remain, &c, Mrs. Ballance, Tinakori Road. R. C. Kick, Mayor.

The Town Cleek, Patea, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sib,— Borough Council Office, Patea, 2nd May, 1893. I have the honour, by direction, to forward you a copy of the subjoined resolution which was passed at a meeting of Council held last night: "That this Council places on record its unfeigned regret at the untimely death of the Hon. John Ballance, Premier, when in the zenith of his power, and its recognition of the sterling qualities and abilities of the deceased statesman ; and, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary." I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. ■" W. S. Haepee, Town Clerk.

. ~„ ... , The Town. Cleek, Avenal, to the Hon. R. J. Seddon. Sib,— Invercargill, 4th May, 1893. Will you kindly convey to Mrs. Ballance the following resolution, passed at a meeting of the Avenal Borough Council held last evening, viz.: "That this Council desires to express its sincere feeling of regret at the heavy .loss the people of New Zealand have sustained through the death of the Hon. John Ballance, the late Premier, and to convey to Mrs. Ballance an earnest expression of deep sympathy in the heavy bereavement she has sustained. ''".;.' . I have, &c, . ... The Hon. R. J. Seddon. C. W. Beown, Town Clerk.

' " The Mayor, Nelson, to Mrs. Ballance. Madam, — City Council Chambers, Nelson, Bth May, 1893. I have the honour to forward herewith a resolution which was unanimously passed at a meeting of the Nelson City Council, held on the sth instant, being the first meeting held since the happening of the melancholy event referred to, and which resolution is as follows; "That this