The great public gathering organised to do honour to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., LL.D., on the ocasion of his completing tenth year of office as Premier of New Zealand was a notable gathering, both in point of number and of spontaneity. The front of the Opera House on Saturday night was gaily decorated for the occasion with bunting, while around the facade of the dress circle the Union Jack and the New Zealand ensign bordered "Old Glory," a symbolical prophecy of future relationship. The national flags of Italy and Spain were also given prominence. The stage was elaboraltely decorated with New Zealand plums and bushes. During the proceedings two flashlight pictures of the gathering were taken. The gathering was representative of all classes. The committee and their friends occupied seats on the stage, and here, also, were to be seen many visitors from the country, who had come down to Wellington specially for the occasion. The Ministry was represented by Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G., the Hon. T. Y. Duncan, the Hon W. Hall-Jones, and the Hon. James McGowan. The Hon. W. C. Walker, C.M.G.. was unable to be present in consequence of illness. The Hon. James Carroll, not being in Wellington, forwarded a characteristically cordial telegram in proof that he was present in spirit. The remaining Cabinet Minister, the Hon. C. H. Mills, was absent on the expedition to the Cook Islands. The Hon. F. H. Fraser, M.L.C., Messrs W. H. Field and A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R.'s, were in attendance, and Mr John Stevens, for many years the Parliamentary "whip" to the Liberal party, was also present to do honour to his chief. Mrs and Miss Seddon, Lady Ward and Miss Ward, Mrs anil Miss Hall-Jones, and Mrs and Miss Mills all graced the stage. Colonel Bell, Mr James Coates, Mr D. J. Nathan and Mrs Nathan. Mr R. A. Adams (Patea), and Mr F. S. Canning (Normanby) were also amongst the group. The guest of the evening was in his happiest mood, and he entered into the spirit of the proceedings with a wholehearted appreciation that must have been highly gratifying to the citizens who interested themselves in working up last Saturday's gathering to the successful culmination that characterised it. The occasion altogether lacked any air of formality; it was abundantly evident that no mere lip service was intended; and the speeches of both the mover and seconder of the motion were terse and telling. The speech in reply by the Premier, vigorously delivered, was cheered throughout by an audience en rapport with the speaker, and the convincing instances which Mr Seddon adduced of the marvellous progress made by the colony in the last decade were greeted with warmest approbation. Altogether it may truthfully be said that a more successful public function has never been carried out in Wellington. As showing the widespread interest taken in the event, it is of interest to note that Mr Culver, the secretary, received an enormous number of apologies from friends in the north, many of whom wrote saying that but for the short notice given they would have travelled down to Wellington to assist at the function.

Mr W. H. Quick, chairman of the meeting, said the people were assembled that night to do honour to a patriot and statesman, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon—(hear, hear)—and to congratuate him on having completed ten years of his Premiership. That record, almost unprecedented, showed this—that during the whole of that time Mr Seddon had been in contact and touch with the people, and that they had given him their confidence throughout. Mr Quick did not believe that after all those ten years the confidence of the people had abated one jot. Mr Seddon's devotion to the country and his services to the Empire merited for him a very high place amongst that brilliant list of statesmen who conducted the duties of the Crown throughout the Dominion. A time would come hereafter when posterity would look upon Mr Soddon as one of the greatest men New Zealand had ever seen. Ten years had passed by, and in spite of all evil prognostications, what did the people see now? Tile ship of State had not run upon the rocks; the country was prosperous, everything smooth; and there was not the slightest doubt that at the present time Mr Seddon still lived in the hearts of the people. (Loud applause.)

An overture of lively plantation airs was played by Jupp's Band at this stage of the proceedings, after which the chairman gave a summary of over one hundred apologies for non-attendance, conveying, at the same time, felicitations to the Premier.