NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 145, 22 February 1915, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

BELGIAN ARRIVALS IN NEW ZEALAND LINEii (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Thia Day. The crew of the Mataua, which arrived from London yesterday, includes ten Belgian refugees, who, when they Join, ed the vessel, had only the clo M ies they wore. INCREASED COST OF LIVING. WELLINGTON, Feb 20. For some time the Government Statistician has been engaged in compilingindex numbers to show with a fair degree of accuracy the variations in the cost of living. So far as the figures are taken they revC'ii an increase- ii the cost of living for the list December quarter of, roughly, 61 per cent, for the whole Dominion, apparently caused by the war. The inquiry, as it concerns the four chief centres, has been carried as far back as 1891. No official figures are yet made available, but it is known that i considerable increases have occurred, the chief items being house rent. Moat has incrased about 50 per cent.

MR ROYD GARLICK DEAD, , i EXPIRES ON A TRAIN. DEATH DUE TO HEART FAILURE. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 21. Mr Royd Gai'lick, Director of Physical Culture to the Education Department, died on the East Coast train on Saturday afternoon. YOUNG WOMAN'S DEATH. *' AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. A young woman, Rida May Shepherd, 21 years of age, a resident of Fonsonby, fell off the launch Haerimai in Rangitoto Channel last night. She was pulled aboard a few minutes later ha lei sej.r-il-cons'eJiousi i:{ondition„ and suffering from haemorrhage. She was taken home and died a few hours later. She had been in delicate health. EUROPEAN RELIEF FUNDS. ANOTHER CASH PAYMENT. WELLINGTON, This Day. His Excellency the Governor, as patron of the poor of Britain, Ireland, and Belgian Relief Fund, to-day transmitted a cable to the High Commissioner of £16,800, it being the fourth cash contribution from the fund. Special instructions were sent to each committee, and the wishes of those giving donations for any special purpose are strictly observed, and the sum was apportioned as follows: Britain, Ireland,£3,66l 3s Id; Belgian Relief, £13,148 16s Sd. The total cash contributions transmitted amount to £65,000. Valuable shipments of frozen meat are all being sent forward as opportunity offers, and tions of clothing have been most generous.

FIRE BRIGADES. CONFERENCE AT TIMARU. TIMARU, This Day. The sixth conference of Fire Brigades opened this morning. The report showed the assets to he £853, an increase for the year of £3l. The roll of brigades is 133, six more than the previous year. Fourteen members had earned the gold stars for twenty-five years' service. Nearly two hundred members had responded to the Empire's call. The brigades to which they belonged are to keep these members good en their books. It is still raining heavily, and the outlook is rathe? bad for outdoor festivities. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES BURNED TO DEATH. GORE, Feb. 20. A well-Known resident of Heriot, Harry Boylen, was found dead in his hut yesterday. Part of the floor of the hut was burned, also the lower portion of deceased's body. An inquest will be held.