COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15728, 1 October 1914, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

<»■ f [FROM OUR OWN COEEESPONDENTS.] • CAMBRIDGE. . "PRICES AND PROSPECTS." A lecture entitled "Prices, Prospects, , and Prosperity," was delivered by Dr. , Mcllwraith, of Auckland, in the Town ( Hall on Tuesday evening, under tho aus- j piece of tho Chamber of Commerce. The ] .Mayor, Air. Mervyn Wells, presided. The , lecturer showed that practically from 1870 ( to 1895 prices all over the world fell ( rapidly and continuously, with but slight , intermissions, and that from 1896 till the present time prices had risen with almost , equal rapidity. In New Zealand the declino in farm products ceased in 1895, but in imported goods tho decline had continued till ISO 4. Since 1904 these goods had riecn, but not to so great an extent as farm products. Synchronously with tho decline in farm 'products was a \ decline in tho marriage rate, and in tho general prosperity of New Zealand. The marriage rate reached its lowest in 1895, since when it had risen in sympathy with every upward movement in farm products. From 1870 to 1898 the birth rate also declined, but rose fairly rapidly during the nest ten years. During the past four years, however, an unaccountable decline had taken place. In seeking for a cause of the "extraordinary fall before 1895, and the subsequent rise, the lecturer showed that from tho severities to the nineties the gold production of the world steadily declined, while the progress o£ acienco and invention caused a remarkable increase in manufactured goods. This led to a decline . in prices. In the nineties, however, the discovery of the Transvaal goldfields, and of the cyanide process for extracting gold, caused a remarkable increase in the gold output, which is now four times as great as in 1890. This has led to an enormous increase in tho volume of money, both coin and credit money. The opinion of many famous economists is that thero is every probability of a continuous rise in prices for auother generation, with slight variation upwards and downwards. PAKURANGA. i A NEW ROAD. A new road is being made from Pakurangain the direction of Howick, a distance of about two miles. The work is under the supervision of Mr. Alex. Bell, clerk to the Manukau County Council, and will be carried through as quickly as possible. This new road, which has long been much needed, will be greatly appreciated by the residents of Pakuranga, Howick, ana the immediate neighbourhood. CLEVEDON. BASKETBALL MATCH. The Clevedon Basketball Club played the Papatoetoe Club, at Papakura, on Thursday, and after some.good games, won by 16 to 3. The Clevedon Club is giving its annual social in the hall to-morrow, and hopes for a good attendance, as the proceeds are to be devoted to' the relief of distress in Huntly. A lecture on patriotism will bo given on Tuesday evening, in tho public hall, by the Rev. W. C. Wood, vicar of All Souls', who is a very popular speaker. A collection will be taken up in aid of the Huntly fund. A good many improvements have been mado lately on the s.s. Hircro for the benefit of the passenger traffic, including a new ladies' cabin and backs fitted to seats on deck. These were very much needed, and are duly appreciated. Several heavy showers have fallen, and have done much good in freshening up tho pastures, besides being a great boon as far as household tanks are concerned. However, much more steady rain is still required, as the land is still"very dry and hard. Dairying is coming on fast, but the need of rain is plainly shown by the milking returns. TANGOWAHINE. PATRIOTIC, SOCIAL. A social and dance organised by tho local Maoris was held at Tangowahine ou Friday, and was one of the most successful ever held here. About 55 couples were present. Dancing was continued until an early hour. Great credit is due to the Maori Ladies' Committee, who worked exceedingly hard to make the event successful. The Maropiu Brass Band was in attendance ana supplied tho various selections. Tho proceeds amounted to £10. PAPAKURA. CRICKET CLUB FORMED. At a largely attended and enthusiastic meeting held at Papakura this week, Mr. D. W. Jones presiding, it was unanimously decided to form a cricket club. The following were elected office-bearers: — Patron, Hon. W. F. Massey, M.P. ; president, Air. D. W. Jones; vice-presidents, Revs. W. C. Wood and U, Ma dill, Dr. Brookfield', Messrs. J. A. Mackenzie, E. D. McLennan, D. McLennan, Jas. Walker, A. Hobbs, J. H. Shove, H. Willis, A. Willis, R. J. Willis; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. ,W. Black; committee, Messrs. P. Johnson, J. Muir, S. Willis, C. Waugh, A. Bullen, H. McCormick and W. J. Crichton. It was decided to hold the first match of tho season on Saturday, October, 3, the teams being married v. single members of the club. DARGAVILLE. CIVIC AFFAIRS. At the last meeting of the Borough , Council communications were received from the Marine and Public Works -Departments to the effect that all data regardins: the proposed construction of the river bridge at Dargaville were being compiled. It was decided to purchaso a watering cart at a cost of £57. The clerk was instructed to arrange with the Hobsoa County Council for a suitable date for councillors to inspect the DargavilleMangnkahia roads. It was also agreed to urge upon the Government the desirability of starting railway formation work in connection with the North Auckland Main Trunk line at the Wairoa end. Tho engineer repented that to date £426 had been expended on the Mangawhare foreshore. The funeral of Mr. Thompson, senr., who for many years carried on business as a boatbuilder at Aratapu, took place on Tuesday and was largely attended by settlers from all portions of the district. WAIUKU. THE TOWN BOARD. The first meeting of the newly-elected Town Board was held on Tuesday last. Mr. R. T. Reid _ was elected chairman and Mr. W. J. King was appointed clerk and treasurer. It was decided that the board should meet on the second Monday ' in each month. The annual Hunt Club ball took place in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, there being about seventy couples present. Excellent music was supplied by Messrs. Chandler, Webster, and Long. During the evening the local master of the hounds, Mr. R. T. Reid, on behalf of the club, presented Mr. E. T. Bent with a silver-mounted oak inkstand on the occasion of his marriage. Mr. Bent had 1 always taken much interest in the club ! and was for two years local master.