THE PREMIER'S PURSE

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 148, 19 December 1902, Page 6

THE PREMIER'S PURSE

CONVERTED INTO A CASKET. MR. SEDDON'S SCRUPLES OVERCOME. The Premier's Purse, or at any rate that portion of it which was collected in Wellington, will not take the form of a purse after all. The committee which has had the matter in hand met this morning and decided to convert the purse into a valuable casket, which will be presented to Mr. Seddon at the Parliamentary Buildings at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon, when all the subscribers are invited to be present. The presentation will be made by Mr. N. Reid, chairman of the committee. As something like £850 was subscribed here, and a "valuable casket" can be purchased for very much less than that amount, it is understood that the balance remaining will be placed inside the article. Whether Mr. Seddon will accept anything beyond the casket remains to be seen. In any case subscribers will be interested to know the cost of the casket. Mr! W. E. Jackson, who is about to take up the managership at Christchurch for Messrs. Gordon and Gotch, of Melbourne, was farewelled last night at the Shepherd's Arms Hotel by the members of the Karori Defence Rifle Club, of which he has been Secretary for some time past. He was presented with a handsome travelling-bag as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by his clubmates. The captain, Mr. Lessington, in making the presentation, referred to the good -rork done during the time Mr. Jackson has been Secretary. Mr. A. Gillespie, who has always taken a keen interest in the club, provided 1 an excellent repast, and a most enjoyable evening was spent by those present. A fire broke out in a storehouse attached to Luke and Co.'s foundry a few minutes before 9 o'clock last night, and before it could be suppressed damage to the extent of about £700 was done. Some of the moulders were at work until nearly 6 o'clock, and the premises were then shut up for the night. The Fire Brigade was promptly on the scene, and it was solely owing to its exertions that the flames were extinguished so quickly. Tlie stock and plant are insured for £3000. The pattertts and other stock damaged were insured in the South British Office for £300, and the building in which the fire broke out was covered by a policy in the Commercial Union for £250. A reminder is given that the complimentary concert to Mr. Charles Carter, formerly of the Pollard Opera Company, is to take place at the Opera House tonight. The programme is an attractive one, and includes items by some of our best known amateurs. There " should be a good attendance. The Dresden Piano Company's offer for Christmas month is repeated to-day. Messrs. Loasby and Isaac call attention to their annual stocktaking sale of boots and shoes. Messrs. Gardiner and M'Kinstry, of Ade-laide-road, have received instructions to sell a special lot of furniture and sundries to-morrow, particulars of which are advertised. Special window displays will be made this evening in the windows of Messrs. James Smith and Sons, The New House, of flowers, laces, silk blouses, malteselace goods, trimmed millinery, men's hats, and tennis shirts.