219

H. 7--28,

Native Sanitary Inspectors. Friend,— Wellington, 18th June, 1906. ■ Greeting to you in the house of sorrow for our departed friend. On behalf of the Native Sanitary Inspectors, representing the Maori people, and in the absence of Dr. Pomare, the head of the Department, we hereby tender our deep sympathy and our grief at the death of our father who has gone to that home of eternal peace and rest. He was the guardian of the two races of this land, and he is now no more to be seen amongst us. We are left in sadness and tears to sympathize with his beloved family. This is our lament for our friend who is now departed from us :— Blow on ye cold winds on Tararua's lofty height, To shed its tears o'er Poneke's lonely vale, Farewell to Tinirau's Ika Nui with might, O Father this is a sad farewell. Please convey this our message to his bereaved wife and her sorrowing family. This is all from your friends. T. Parata, M.H.R. Ihaia Hutana. Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Taiawhio te Tau. Natives of Patea. Honoured Sir, — Patea, 17th June, 1906. At the close of our usual church service to-day the Maoris assembled wished me to request you to convey to Mrs. Seddon and her family their deep sympathy with them in the sad bereavement they are now enduring. lam also requested to convey to you their deep sense of the loss they have sustained as a people in the death of the late Premier, who on several occasions visited them and secured their abiding esteem and regard. I am, &c, The Hon. the Acting-Premier. T. G. Hammond. Rongokako Maori Council. Sir, — . Papawai, 18th June, 1906. On behalf of myself and the Rongokako Maori Council of Wairarapa, kindly convey to Mrs. Seddon and family our deepest sympathy with them in their sad bereavement of our great rangatira, who has departed from us all. Haere atu ra eto matau tino atawhai aroha pono waiho panitia iho matau i muri nei tou Iwi maori. I am, &c, The Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Whenua H. Manihera, Chairman. Taakitenui Council and East Coast Tribes. (Telegram.) Mr. Hall-Jones, Wellington. Gisborne, 15th June, 1906. Oh friend ! our sympathy is with you, who are now in the house of sorrow through the death of our dear friend, our great chief, our kind parent, the Right Hon. Richard J. Seddon. Our hearts were started and are pained with the tidings of his death, of his sudden fall on the bosom of the broad sea of Kiwa. Go, depart! oh father of orphans and widows, leader of the faint-hearted, pilot of your canoe " Aotearoa " that now floats guideless, orator in great councils of the world ! You rejoiced with those that rejoiced, you wept yvith those that wept, your hand had often been grasped by Royalties, and yours had more often gripped that of the lowliest. Go, haere ra I you that bound together the bulwarks of the State and of the Empire, you the refuge of your Maori people now orphaned by your death, who can know who can tell, perhaps left to the tender mercies of numerous fathers to come ! Thy mouth has been closed by the strong and violent hand of death, but the sound of your voice for ages to come will ring out through the valleys of these Islands and throughout the world by means of the great and humane deeds which during your lifetime you accomplished. These deeds will be an everlasting monument to you in the hearts of men. The words are true of you, " Their labours do follow them," "He being dead yet speaketh." We would not complain of your death —the will of the Almighty be done. Friend, convey our true sympathy to the widow and orphans—great is the sorrow of our hearts on their behalf. Let them become the adopted children of the nation, for by them the honoured name of their father will ever be called. May the God of all Comfort comfort them in their affliction and ours all. Taakitenui Council and East Coast Tribes. Natives of Taumutu. (Telegram.) Hon. Hall-Jones, Wellington. . Christchurch, 15th June, 1906. Kindly convey to Mrs. Seddon and bereaved family the sincere grief and sympathy from the Natives of Taumutu. Haere atu raeto matou matua etc whatu marama haere haere haere atu ra. Hoani Rapatini.