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Mary
Dorothea Seddon (1924-2000) was a person of great
character and a vivid personality. She graduated 1946,
B.A. Victoria University College and had an eventful
life, including proprietorship of the cafe 'Monde Marie'
in Roxburgh Street, Wellington, known for its
contribution to the city's life and especially to folk
music culture in the 1960s. She was a grand-daughter of
Richard Seddon, Premier of New Zealand 1893-1906.
Mary
Seddon was a colourful, larger-than-life figure. Unlike
him she was New Zealand-born. Staunchly independent, Seddon travelled alone throughout Europe when it was
still considered a daring and unconventional thing for a
woman to do. Back in New Zealand in 1950 after four
years in Europe, Mary Seddon was filled with 'utter
despair'. After the lively European lifestyles she had
become accustomed to, Wellington seemed dull and boring.
Like Harry Seresin she perceived a gap in New Zealand
society, and decided to establish a café, the Monde
Marie, where people could go to just sit and talk. The
Monde Marie soon became a mecca for folk music
enthusiasts. The environment attracted an educated,
bohemian crowd.
Seddon's European travels also influenced the choice
of food she served to customers. The coffee was Cona,
patrons could purchase cheese cake and yoghurt, chili
con carne and spaghetti bolognaise, meals were served
with a buttered roll and salad, and everything was
priced reasonably. At a time when the menu of most
coffee bars consisted of toasted sandwiches the Monde
was considered to be European and sophisticated.
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