NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 26 August 1914, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND.

i TROOPSHIPS AXD TRANSPORTS. PREPARATIONS PUSHED FORWARD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Might. The work of fitting up the seven troopships now in the harbor is being ; pushed forward with as much expedition as possible, and the alterations to "H.M.X.Z.T. Xo. 4" are now about complete. She has taken aboard so much coal and that she lies fairly low in the water, drawing 22ft, and by the time that the men and horses are oil board she will be a very full ship. All luxurious fittings have been removed, both in the saloons and the cab- i ins, and tile promenade decks are lined I with horse boxes. The smart Maunganui has a sadly-changed appearance in her eoai of gray, and is also ■bting.shprn of her gay trappings and luxuries. At the Education Board meeting 'today. it was stated that 14 teachers and students had joined the expeditionary force frem the Wellington Education Districts. ' A WAXGAXU! PROPOSAL. AX IMPERIAL MARINE WAR RISK. Wanganui, Last Xight. The Chamber of Commerce to-day carried a resolution affirming the importance of carrying on trade and commerce without interruption, and asking the Government of Xew Zealand to consider the practicability of co-operating with the Imperial Government and Governments in other parts of the Empire, in a scheme to guarantee shipowners against the risk of seizure or dcstruc- ' tion of their vessels, such to hold good until the Admiralty proclaims it to be unsafe for British merchantmen to put to sea and to cover all ships that have cleared port prior to the date of such proclamation. The resolution is to be sent to the Ministers and chambers, of commerce.

The Egmont Club held a patriotic social in the clubrooms, Stratford, last night. As-a result some £2*2 will lie added to the Patriotic Fund. Amongst the contributors to the programme were iMr 11. St. George, who is always assured of a welcome at the club, and the club's own excellent orchestra. The news of the Allies' success, when posted at the Post Otlice last night, was received with a round of cheering. ■