The Club Hotel, George Street, Timaru. This hotel is situated opposite the railway station, and contains twenty-three rooms, including commercial and sample rooms, dining-room and parlours, exclusive of those used by the family.

Mr. George Searle, formerly Proprietor of the Club Hotel, Timaru, is a son of the Rev. Richard Searle, of Hemel, Hempstead, Herts, England, where he was born in 1847. In early life he was valet to the late Lord Ashburton, and came to New Zealand in the ship “City of Dunedin,” in 1860. After an experience in hotel life in the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, and the Imperial Hotel, Dunedin, Mr. Searle entered the service of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand in Dunedin. There he remained till 1892, with an intermission of two years, which he spent in the Old Country. On resigning from the service of the Bank, Mr. Searle bought the Waterloo Hotel, Caversham, and kept it for four years. While there he had the honour of catering for a banquet given to Lora Onslow in the Garrison Hall, by the citizens of Dunedin. Since 1896, he has let this hotel. Subsequently he took over the Queen's Arms Hotel, Dunedin, and later the Empire Hotel and Railway Refreshment Rooms, Palmerston South. Mr. Searle took another trip to the Old Country in 1898, and returned the following year. He is a member of the Timaru Caledonian Lodge of Freemasons, and has been a member of the Order of Foresters. Mr. Searle was married, in 1867, to a daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Saffhill, of Uxbridge, Middlesex, England. In March, 1899, he took over the Club Hotel, Timaru, and afterwards owned the Wedderburn Hotel, Central Otago, and the Imperial Hotel, Princes Street, Dunedin.

Mr. G. Searle.

Shamrock Hotel (Henry Rothwell, proprietor), Stafford Street, Timaru. This hostelry, which is considered the handsomest building of its kind in Timaru, is situated within three minutes' walk of the railway station. On the ground floor are the bars, bar-parlour, commercial, dining, and billiard rooms, besides the kitchen and offices. Twenty-eight bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the first floor, and the entire premises page 1004 are replete with all modern conveniences. The proprietor, Mr. Rothwell, who was born in County Carlow, Ireland, came to New Zealand in 1875. He was engaged in farming pursuits for a time, and afterwards spent some years in Melbourne. On returning to New Zealand, he became proprietor of the Melville Hotel, Timaru, subsequently of the Temuka Hotel at Temuka, and purchased the “Shamrock” in 1897. While resident in Temuka, Mr. Rothwell was president and vice-president of several clubs, and at one time interested himself in racing and horse-breeding, but disposed of his stud in 1896.

Shamrock Hotel.

Timaru Hotel, Timaru. This hotel is situated in Stafford Street South, about five minutes' walk from the Railway Station, or Post Office. The house is well built of stone and concrete, and contains twenty-three rooms, including a commercial room, dining-room, billiard-room, and bath-room. Hot and cold water is laid on throughout the house, which is also fitted throughout with electric bells.

Mr. William Tobin, proprietor of the Timaru Hotel, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, on the 10th day of May, 1873. In 1889 he came to Dunedin, via Australia, and had some experience in country life. He was employed for five years at the Levels station, for a year by Mr. William Grant, and for a year by Mr. A. Humphrey, of Seadown. On removing to Ashburton, Mr. Tobin was employed for three years at the Fairfield freezing works. He became proprietor of the Timaru Hotel in July, 1901. Mr. Tobin is a member of the Hibernian Benefit Society, of the Ashburton Working-men's Club, and of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, and the Timaru Trotting Club. He was married, on the 27th of June, 1901, to a daughter of Mr. J. Dennis Murphy, of High Bank, Rakaia, and has one son.

Captain John Morgan, formerly Proprietor of the Timaru Hotel, was born in Cardigan, Wales, in 1853. He went to sea at an early age on his father's ship, a China tea clipper. After serving a four years' apprenticeship with the Shire line of Liverpool, he was successively second mate of the ship “Rutlandshire” and chief mate of the barque “Annie Gambles,” and the barquentine “Swallow.” In seafaring circles Captain Morgan was better known as having been master of the barquentine “Annie Bow,” and the barque “Ganymede.” He traded between London and New Zealand for the last ten years of his seafaring life, and retired from the sea in 1887. Having made a large number of friends in Timaru, he took over the Royal Hotel there, and remained in it for about three years. Subsequently he had the Commercial Hotel, Timaru, the Makikihi Hotel, Makikihi, and the Royal Hotel, Christchurch. In February, 1899, Captain Morgan returned to Timaru, and took over the Timaru Hotel, from which he retired about the middle of 1900. He was a member of the Timaru Caledonian Lodge of Freemasons, and also a member of the Druids' Lodge. Captain Morgan, who married a daughter of the late Mr. Alex. White, of Timaru, and had one son, died in January, 1902.

Captain J. Morgan.

Werry's Hotel (no license), Corner of George Street and Cain's Terrace, near railway station, Timaru. This fine hotel consists of a three-storey brick building with basement, and contains about fifty lofty rooms. It is well furnished, and is very popular under the management of Mrs Werry.