to rescue from the dam a miner returning to his camp loaded with his week’s supplies, who missed his step, and with his burden was in danger of drowning. But instead of thanks abuse was uttered when the swagsman found his stores all pulp. The difficulties of transport in those days to the back country were many, corduroyed tracks alone serving. Where horses could not go, men shouldered the burden, and Mr. Seddon is credited with many a heavy load up the hill to ease the weight on the trusty horse. Such was the atmosphere, at least in part, of those early goldfields days in which Mr. and Mrs. Seddon played a very full part, as pioneers of a new land, where the fortunes of their family were laid.
“Tt was not very long before Mr. Seddon took an interest in local public affairs. Miners invariably took a keen interest in the course of events, and the needs of the new country as the localities were settled, became of paramount importance. More so, because at that stage the district was under far-off Canterbury, where the authorities regarded the West rather as a liability, and at one stage wished to withdraw from it. So there was work to do to organise the district, and in his immediate locality Mr. Seddon became prominent. He was first elected to the Arahura Road Board, which embraced the new goldfield, and was an active member, becoming Chairman. Then
