TOWN & COUNTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1658, 11 January 1895, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Premier's speech at Hokitika on Wednesday night occupied four hours. A meeting will be held at the schoolroom, Fairlie, this evening, " for the purpose of fixing the day on which the half holiday shall be held." All interested m the question are invited to attend. Mr Fitzgerald's party had a rough time of it between here and Mount Cook, being five days on the way. Horses jibbed, harness broke, an axle snapped, and the party had to walk from Pukaki to the Hermitage, Mr George Pearson had his shop fixed up yesterday to meet the requirements of the Shops Act, a moveable wooden partition cutting off the fancy goods and stationery from the fruit and confectionery side of his business, and curtains continue the separation, making a passage to his coffee-rooms. We understand that the arrangement has received the approval of the head inspector. - Captain Edwin forecasted storms and rain from yesterday over most parts of the colony. The sky over our heads was heavy and rainy looking all day, but so far we have not had any gale, and very little rain. At 9 o'clock m tlie morning, the sky was overcast and gloomy nearly all over the colony, with no wind to speak of. The Woodville Examiner says that bush_ whiskey is often talked of m a jocular way, but it has become a live reality, and m the Pahiatua County it is well known that a large still is m full operation. The product of the still is reported to be retailed both by licensed houses and sly grog shops. The police have had the matter m hand for some time, but the distiller is too cute for them. The weekly meeting of the Crystal Spring Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held m the Foresters' Hall on Wednesday, Bro. D. C. Cameron, Grand Secretary, m the chair. There was a large attendance of members and visitors, including some naval brothers from H.M.S. Royalist. Songs and recitations were given, and refreshments were handed round. A vote of thanks to the visitors brought a very pleasant meeting to a close at 10 o'clock. The New Zealand Journal of Insurance, Mining and Finance appears this month under new management, and a great improvement is manifest m its tone and appearance. Its size has been assimilated to that of the Australasian Insurance and Banking Record, and we gather from the editor's introductory article that an effort is to be made to give the paper a wider circulation among the commercial and trading public than it has enjoyed m the past. Dwelling houses are at a premium m Wellington just now, owing mainly to the large influx of bank officials and others. It is almost an impossibility for decent sized, conveniently appointed and situated houses to be obtained. Rents have consequently been largely increased, and house-owners are reaping a large harvest from their investments. Houses of from nine to fourteen rooms easily command a rental of from £100 to £250 per annum. One fine ,house m Fitzherbert Terrace (one of the pleasantest situations m Wellington), with only a fairly large garden, has just been let, furnished, at the high rental of £400 per annum. The Canterbury Catholic Literary Society have issued the first number of their journal, the Hecord, which is edited by the Rev. Father Bell. The journal has the approval of the Right Rev. Dr Grimes, whose portrait appears on the first page. The contents while specially intended for Roman Catholics, will be found to be not without interest for the general reader. The style of the articles is vigorous, and the choice of subjects appropriate. The editor promises a series of articles on the Catholic Societies and Confraternities of Christchurch, and on Catholic Institutions. The present number contains a brief history of the Catholic Literary Society. The Wanganui Herald says : — " Practically speaking, prohibition reigns supreme throughout the up-river district from Upokongaro right on to Karioi. That is to say, there is not one single licensed house between the two places named, and yet the consumption of liquor on a very large scale goes on unchecked, and sly-grog selling proves a decided all-round curse to those residi ng m the up-river settlements, and indeed to many whose business or pleasure it is to travel backward and forwards. Fifteen shillings is the modest price asked for a bottle of whisky to the Maoris, and 10s to Europeans, and the vile stuff known by that name, even at these extortionate rates, finds ready consumers. Whatever the state of the liquor is before it reaches the hands of the up-river dispenser is not known, but it has been an open secret that m ' ' doctoring " it one bottle is very easily made into three ! and at 15s per bottle, too !"

Competitor j are notified that nominations for all handicaps at the Mackenzie County Caledonian Society's 3ports must reach the hands of the honorary secretary at Burkes Pass on the 17th inst. t Members of the C Battery, N.Z. V., are j reminded that the annual competition for j the Government ordnance prize takes i place this evening m plain clothes. It I is important that there should be a large * muster. All those whose avocations ( permit, will assemble at the drill shed -\ at 5 p.m., and others can join m later. £ The guns will be placed on the beach j near the foot of North street. {