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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16238, 23 November 1914, Page 4

About 8 o'clock last evening an earthquake lasting about 20 seconds, was reported to have been felt quite perceptibly at Sli Clair. In one residence dishes on a dresser rattled, and people in the house noticed other kdications of the quake.

The monthly meeting of the Maori Hill Fire Board, held on Friday afternoon, was attended by Messrs S. N. Brown (chairman), H. D. Stronach, W. I. Bolam, J. R. Cameron, and A. M'Millan. Meesre Tum;bull and Jones wrote stating that they had tested tho fire alarms on two occasions, and had found everything in first-class order. The superintendent also reported having tested the alarms, with satisfactory results. The secretary reported that the .bank overdraft was £21 0s 4d.

The report of the Eeserves Committee of tho City Council, to be submitted at the meeting on Wednesday evening, states thatl in the matter of providing additional recreation grounds within the city area, instructions have been given to the oity engineer. to submit, at the earliest possible date, plans and estimates of several sites on the Town Belt where recreation grounds might be formed. A definite report will be submitted to the council after the plans, etc., are to hand.

The Finance Committee of the City Council, in a report to be presented to the council on Wednesday evening, states that as a number of councillors are of the opinion that tho council is under a moral obligation to grant the application from tho Expansion League for a contribution for this year m addition to the two contributions granted during the past two yearly periods, it is recommended that the third and last payment be made for this year out of unauthorised expenditure, but, at tho 6amo time, the committee desires to state that in its opinion go further grants should be made hereafter to league. At the recent annual window-dressing competition of the Australasian Hardware and Machinery Association, the display of lools by Mr Walter W. Strang, of Messrs Paterson and Barr, of Dunedin, was awarded second prize (modal and certificate). The competition was open to all hardware housee in Australasia. After further consideration of tho proposed withdrawal or reduction of the Cavorsham-Cargill road tram service, tho Tramways Committee has decided to rerommend to tho City Council, that the service, as run at present, be continued for ii period of six months.

Tho following motion will be moved by Cr Wilson at the meeting of the City Council on Wednesday evening:—"That, with the view of taking active steps towards town planning in this city, tho council appoint a committee of four councillors and four co-operative members, the function of this committee being to pass all plans of subdivisions within ihe city, and generally to deal with all matters affecting town planning."

Tho lloslyn Methodist Junior Christian Endeavour held its annual gathering on Saturday last in tho schoolroom. A fine programme was provided by tho young people. The Rev. J. T. Pinfold, 8.A., occupied the chair, and there wae a large attendance, many visitors from other places being present. Mr Parry, from the Maori Hill Baptist Society, delivered a short address. The report, read by the secretary, showed that good work had been dono during tho-year. There was a small credit balance in hand. Refreshments were handed round, after which a few game* were enjoyed.

Tho new band kiosk, which has been in course of erection in the Botanic Gardene for some weeks past, has now been completed, and will shortly be officially opened.

The St. Clair Esplanade was -visited on Saturday and yesterday by a largo number of people to witness the effect of the recent storm and hich tido on iho beach. Most of the sand in front of the esplanade wall, immediately opposito the pavilion, has been washed away, leaving nothing but the boulder beach on which the esplanade is founded. The high seas of the spring tide, helped by tho low barometric pressure on Wednesday night and subsequently, put the structure to a very severe tost. Waves licked the coping for almost the whole length of the wall. Tho sand under the stone apron along tho front of the wall has been washed away, ,■ allowing iho stones to subside on to a permanent bottom. This effect of tho storm was pointed out at tho time of erection by the city engineer. The subsidence has now been made good by tho addition of more stone, as was then arranged in anticipation of the present denudation. It is thought that in future the sand may come and go as it will without in any way affecting tho esplanade. There wae ovidenco yesterday that the sand has already commenced to return, and before long the beach will probably again be quite fit for use by the 6iirf bathers and children.

The final entries for the forthcoming Metropolitan Show of the Otago A. and P. Society, which will take placo at Tahuna Park on "Wednesday and Thursday, make the total number of entries 26 in excess of tJiose received for last year's fixture. This must be gratifying to the committee in the face of the present war trouble. All arrangements for the show are well in hand, and tho numerous improvements which havo been carried out at Tahuna Park since last year's show will, no doubt, be much appreciated by exhibitors, as well as the visiting public. Probably the most popular attraction this "year will be tho steeplechase and jumping events, for which very large prizes have been offered. The many trotting ovente and boys' and girls' pony races should also afford no little excitement. If the weather is fine the show promisee to be an unqualified success.

An after-church no-license rally was held last evening in the Garrison Hall, under the auspices of the Temperance Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly. Tho Moderator (the Rev. A. Grant) occupied the chair, and the hall was almost filled. There were five speakers, each of whom was limited to 1C minutes within which to deliver tie address. Four of the speakers— the Revs. H. Clark (Oameru), W. Shirer (Wellington South), J. W. Shaw (Invercargill), and A. Miller (Eden), delivered stirring and thoughtful addresses demonstrating the benefits conferred upon their respective districts by the satisfactory operation of no-license. The Rev. J. Patterson, of St. Paul's Church, Christchurch, dealt with the moral aspect of the no-license question, and concluded a well-thought-out address by making a strong appeal for the carrying of national prohibition. The meeting was closed by the singing of the National Anthem. A no-license rally was also held last evening under the auepices of tho committee in the North-East Valley Town Hall. The Rev. 11. B. Gray occupied the chair, and a large choir led in the singing, Madame Von Look presiding at the organ. Short addresses were delivered by the Reve. A. Douil (Palmereton North), T. R. Jeffreys (Auckland), and R. H. Catherwood (Taihape).

The Ota go Art Society's exhibition of pictures in the Art Gallery Hall was brought to a conclusion on Saturday, when a very successful day was recorded. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the the eociety, and flowers and sweets were sold, a&o cakes, a substantial sum thereby being added to the fund for Belgian relief. Music was rendered both during the afternoon and evening. The exhibition has fully realised expectations, and from the sale of art union tickets aJcne over £150 will be handed to the Patriotic Association, and this sum will bo considerably augmented by the various activities that have been held in connection with tho exnibition. Moet of the successful tickethoidera in the art union have selected their pictures. The following are the subjects chosen by the first three:—First prizewinner, No. 157, "Morning near Poictiers," M. M. Duportal; second prize-winner, Nos. 191 and 285, "Crepuscule in Brittany," M. M. Duportal, and "Kairaki," C. F. Kelly, the pictures to be handed over to the Patriotic Fund; third prize-winner, Nos. 96, 313, and 325, "Suneet, Ridge Road, Kaitawa, North Island," A. R. Lovhian, "In the Desert," M. M. Meyrick," and "Chalet Lilae," H. 0. Fox. The other artists selected are:—W. Allen Bollard Mrs T. M'Crorie, J. C. Veitch, Mabel Hill, C. W. Carrington, A. P. Driver, J. Elder Moultray, E. Woodhouse, W. Menzies Gibb, E. M. Mundy. C. Bickerton, M. A. Park, A. J. Rae, H. R. Cole, N. Welch.

In view of the rapid growth of tfto ex port of New Zealand grown apples to the Argentine and Brazil, the Now Zealand Fruitgrowers' Association has for some time past been negotiating with the Government regarding- the appointment of an experienced fruitgrower as a commissioner to vieit South America. The idea was favourably regarded by the Government, which decided to appoint a commissioner, and offered the position to Mr G. L. Tacon, well-known fruitgrower in the Motueka district, and the pioneer of the Moutero Hills. On Friday a representative of the Christchurch Press was informed by Mr J. R. H. Archer, secretary of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Association, that Mr Tacon had accepted the position, and would leave Wellington on December 5 in the lonic. The new commiseioner'e duties are to spend three months in Argentina and Brazil, inquiring fully into the conditions affecting the present and future sale of New Zealand fruit in those countries, and to submit a report to iho Government. Mr Tacon will endeavour to ascertain the area of land JU those countries suitable for fruit growing, whether ihe New Zealand export trade is likely to be permanent, and by what methods the market can bo developed. At the present rate of increase it,' is calculated that 1,250,000 casee of apples will be annually exported from New Zealand in five years' time.

Christchurcb, October 26.—The " Trusty '•' Triumphs again triumphed in the beach races, 16 miles open event —finished first and registered fastest time for singlq-cylindeer machines, 16mir. 56sec, which' means well over 65 miles an hour, when the standing start and awkward turns a"re taken into account; also won novice event. Comment is superfluous.— W. Stuart Wilson. Bond street, Dunedin. —Advt Mollisons are offering this week 600 ladiee' and girls' holiday and seaside hats at one shilling—worth 3s 6d.—Advt. Signal Hill.—Hill climbing competition last Saturday Cooke-Howlison almost scoop the pool. Motor cycle, 3i h.p. Norton, Ist on time, Ist on formula, and special novice prize, beating 20 h.p. machines. Motor cycle and side-cars, King Dick Ist fastest time, Clyno Ist on formula. Lirrht cars, Calthorpe Minor Ist on time, Ist on for mula, fastest time of day against aJI car competitors. Big car class, Bnick Ist and 2nd l on time, Ist on formula, giving enormous handicaps. Calthorpo Minor light car holds the record for hill for all standard cars.—Cooke, Howlison, agents.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt Off colour? Take a nip of Watson's No. 10. It is a eplendid pick-me-up.—Advt.

Who ie Peter DiokT—The most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 49C Moray place (off Prineee 6treet), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt.