16th June 1906 NG

On Saturday, June 21st, 1902, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Barton (then Federal Premier of Australia: now Sir Edmund Barton, Chief Justice), and other Colonial Premiers arrived at Sandon Hall as the guests of the Earl and Countess of Harrowby, who gave a garden party on that day, which was attended by many people from the Potteries. The Premiers and the other guests of Lord and Lady Harrowby attended Sandon Church on the Sunday morning, when the Bishop of Lichfield preached on the Coronation and the Empire. On Monday June 23rd the Premiers were entertained at lunch at the N.S. Hotel, Stoke, by the Chamber of Commerce, several factories having been previously visited.

There were tremendous crowds in the streets of Stoke during the visit, and the scene of enthusiasm at Stoke Station when the guests left for London, will never be forgotten by those who were present.

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