THE PREMIER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13803, 14 January 1909, Page 6

THE PREMIER.

'. VISIT TO TIMAKU. 'Sir J. G: Ward arrived'at Timani by the second express from Oamaru last evening, this being the first visit ho lias paid to this town since he became i'nmo Minister« . He has on many occasions been invited to spend a few* days here, but has never before been able to afford the time to accept the invitation. His present visit will be of short duration, extending over otic day only. Sir Joseph is accompanied by Lady Ward and Miss Ward, and byone of his two private secretaries, MiMatthews. He has been endeavouring to snatch a few days' rest in the south, but so far work has come in so heavily upon him, that he has been quite unsuccessful in his attempt at holidaymaking. On arrival here, the Premier w;'s met and welcomed by Mr Craigie, Mayor of Timnrii, the party afterwards going to the Grpsvenor Hotel. Tho I'lc-mier will be present to-day as a guest, at the jubilee celebrations and will go on to Fairlie to-morrow, ther« to open a new post office. He returns to Timaru the same afternoon and will go on to Christchurch by the last express, having abandoned his intended visit to Mt. Cook for the present, by reason of the fact that there are no telegraphic or telephonic facilities there and he cannot just now go beyond the reach of tho telegraph. He will spend Saturday in Christchurch,' going on to Wellington by Saturday fight's boat, and with Lady Ward he proposes to have a- short holiday in the North Island, probably -it Kemuera. It is his intention to redeem his promise to visit, Mt. Cook later on. Speaking of matters in general to our representative, the Premier expressed himself in cheerful style. " Things are going along splendidly; things are looking wonderfully well, and I helieve you pro going to have a magnificent season, esnecially in Canterbury. Otago, and Southland. Tho general outlook I think, is bright."