NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 77, 7 May 1914, Page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Tho Napier City Council has decided to appoint an electrical engineer at a salary of £6OO per annum. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the much decomposed body of a man, quite unrecognisable, was found in the Harbour to-day. A youth 15 years of age came before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the juvenile Court to-day, charged with stealing a bicycle valued at £9. lie admitted the offence, and was ordered to report himself to the probation officer at regular intervals for a year.

The Mayor intends to call a conference of the local bodies interested to consider what is to be done in connection with the deputation from the British Town Planning Association, which will reach Christchurch early in July. Five lectures will be given in Christchurch and the suburbs, and the conference will be asked to assist in making them a success. The conference will also be invited to consider the question of starting a Christchurch Advance League at the same time.

Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., has received from Lieut.-Colonel Hobday, acting on behalf of Mr E. H. D/ Morten, the title deed to a block of about 27 acres of land situated on the western slopes 'of Cooper's Knob, to be held by the public as a scenic reserve. Mr Ell declares that the block includes 20 acres of the best bush on the hills, containing many yarieties of trees, and being in practically its virgin state. It adjoins the Cooper's Knob reserve of 40 acres, and has the Summit Eoad as its eastern boundary. The whole is well fenced, and proof against the trespass of sheep or cattle. On Cooper's Knob itself there is a spring, and a retaining wall is to be erected about it, to .the design of Mr J. C. Collins. The top of the Knob is a flat table land of some 15 acres, 1500 feet high. The track leading to the reserve is an easy one running from the Dyers' Pass EoatV The Summit Road Association r desires to thank Mr Morten for his gift,;and the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes for the. help he lias given. .