LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 66, 6 August 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At 9.29 p.m. last evening an earthquake shock was felt in New Plymouth. _ Owing tn the war, the New Plymouth Ihnploy.irs' Association ha,* decided to adjourn sine die its annual meeting and dinner arrtiged for this evening. In a collision near the Henui bridge on Tuesday between two tradesmen's carts, a shaft was broken and Mr.'Matthews' horse somewhat severely injured. The Pukekura Park Board wish to thank a number of anonymous donors for the sum of 25a to defray the royalty on ten loads of gravel from the Marsland Hill quarry. 'Local Territorials are evincing signs of readiness to volunteer for service if necessary, and large numbers of them have already approached the officer in charge with a request to be enrolled. He wiU not, however, do anything in the matter until' he receives instructions from headquarters. . The Royal Picture's pianist, Mr. Arthur V. Carbines, pi'ayed for his over--fare last night the Russian national hymn, French Marsellaise, and British sea songs, and when thie strains of 'God 3avo the King" were heard the audience rose and at the close gave three hearty cheers for the King.

Only about 1500 widows have claimed, the pensions which are theirs by right, under the provision of the Widows' Pension Act, passed by the liberal Government in 1011. The number is a small one, and, doubtless, many widows do not receive the pension simply because they do not know how to go about setting it. B An elfort is being mule to organise the motor cyclists of Taranaki for service m any emergency that might arise. 'Mr. 11. W. Light/band has the matter in hand, and will' be pleased to receive the nanus and addresses of those willing to join the movement. Thfe Wellington and i.-jininvatu cyclists have already taken uctior and are offering their services to the Government. The executive of the Taranaki Em[l overs' Association held a meeting yesterday '.o discuss the proposal made in Wellington (and reported elsewhere in ti:Ss issue) for the suspension of the operation of the Arbitration Court owing to ihe present crisis. It was decided to reply to the Wellington executive, ?y whom the information had been conveyed, that while the New Plymoutln executive was fully alive to the position, R did not consider special legislation necessary at present.

A vei'y successful euchre party and dance wis held in the Good Templar Hal last nir/ht by the New Plymouth Defence Fine Club. A large number of card players, attended and the games were xeenh contested. Prizes were iiwarded a. follows:--First ladies' Miss Peddie, M <rrvmes; Mrs. George, Mrs. Elancha.d and Mrs. J. Harvey with 13 iiames i-acli, played off, the second prize btim,' -,vi:i by Mrs. Harvey. The men's ]>''..' wis won by Mr. F.'Nk'holW with i ti.tmos; and after a play-off between leu. players the second prize was won ley Mr. J.'. Eva. Dancing was then indulged :'ii for some hours, excellent music beinj, supplied by Mrs. George. Mr. McWlm-ter acted as M.C. A most enjoyabb supper was dispensed by the iadies. . ■« ;':; .'

Mr A. M. Myers, M.P., has offered the Auckland Horticultural Society a sum of £2O, :.o be distributed as prizes for tho best kept allotments within five miles of the Auckland Post Office. In a letter to the Secretary of the Society, Mr Myers writes: "I have had it in my mind for some time to donate a special class for best kept cottage gardens in Auckland. Visitors to our city often remark how lavish nature has been to us in her gifts, and it has frequently occurred to me that if we as citizens would make some organised attempt to show ourselves worthy of these gifts, Auckland would be the most Ibcautiful city south'-c' the line. I know of no more effect.e way of beautifying our city than by surrounding its dwellings with a profusion of flowers, especially as tho climate conditions of Auckland are singularly favorable to horticulture."

The Dominion, in concluding a series of observations on the financial position m various countries, and the effects which the war is like.lv to have upon trade, says: "New Zealand trade is bound to be greatly disturbed. For our food products, such as butter, meat, cheese, and wheat, prices should be j high, provided the waterways are clear for our ships to transport the -goods. |At present this is uncertain. Wool may probably will, suffer, because France and Germany are very good customers of our staple product. We will probably have to pay higher prices for some import lines, and some goods in all probability will be altogether unprocurable 7 > ,. one l . c J an really estimate, the extent ot the disturbances to our import trade tor so many diverse factors have to be taken into account, but that it will be very serious is certain. Care and caution are som „] watchwords at such a time.