The Richard Seddon memorial lamp being unveiled at the former St Helen's Maternity Home in Pitt Street, Auckland in August 1906. The lamp was re-located to the grounds of Greenlane National Women's Hospital, Auckland at an unknown date, but, according to the Timespanner website, probably either after St Helen's hospital closed in Pitt Street (1968) or the succeeding Western Springs hospital closed in 1990.
It is believed to be the first memorial to Richard Seddon, who had died on 10 June 1906. The new Premier (or Prime Minister, as the role became known), Sir Joseph Ward, spoke at the unveiling ceremony.
The lamp includes a small plaque with the inscription:
Erected as a tribute of respect to the memory of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C., L.L.D., Premier of N Z, by the Newmarket Railway Workshops employees, June 1906, at St Helen’s Hospital, Auckland, N.Z.
Main image: New Zealand Graphic, 11 August 1906 (Auckland City Libraries).
Other images: John Paynter c2025.
Text: 'Seddon's memorials' (Timespanner) and John Paynter.