NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 134, 13 July 1914, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Mr Ralph Gebbie, in the course of his address at the Church of Christ, yesterday, gaye a denial to the statement in the Bible-in-Schools League's manifesto that the Church of Christ had officially endorsed the policy of the league. At the St. Albans Methodist Church on Sunday morning a resolution was passed expressing strong disapproval of the Gaming Bill now before Parliament, and emphatically protesting against increasing the number of racing days on which permits may be granted for the rise of the totalisator. Pastor Daniells, from America, who is now on a two years' tour of the world, will give a lecture in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Barbadoes Street, tomorrow, evening on '' The Triumphs of Temperance in the United States." Pastor Daniells is a forceful speaker and having personal knowledge of the temperance work in the United States, Ids meeting should prove interesting and instructive. A number of specimen blocks of New Zealand woods have been added to the collection at the Canterbury Museum, blocks, forwarded in the rough by * Mr T. Ronayne, 1.5.0., late General Manager of New Zealand Railways, have been cut to suitable sizes and polished with a transparent polish, so that the grain in each instance can be accurately studied. The blocks so far placed in the cases are:—Tawa, totara, rewarewa (commonly called honeysuckle), mahoe, rimu, kaihikitea (white pine), black maire, matai, and miro. On Friday evening last a social evening was given to the ex-boy choristers of St. John's Church, Woolston, by Mr James Scott, at his residence, Bainford Street. A most enjoyable time was spent, selections from Handel's "Messiah" and other works being rendered

by the boys. Mr Scott addressed the boys, remarking on the excellent progress they had made during the- two "years they had been together, and his great regret at their breaking up. The accompaniments were played by Mr G. H. Claydon, the late organist and choirmaster.

At the Y.M.C.A. Debating Club's ir.eeting on Saturday night, the subject for debate at the forthcoming Debating Club's competitions was taken for a debate among the members. The statement, "'That our form of Govern- ; ment gives expression to the will of the people," was dealt with by Messrs Hunter, Con nibear, and Tilford for the affirmative, and Messrs Mibs, Hulston, and Eolden for the negative. An in-it-resting discussion followed and a vote on the merits of the debate resulted in win for the team for the negative. F. L. Anderson presided. Between 7 and 8 o'clock last evening a number of detonators placed on the tramlines in Cathedral Square occasioned some alarm among tram passen-

gers and others as the cars passed over and' exploded them. An exploded detonator subsequently found alongside the rails in front of the Government Buildings bore the printed label "Best Waterproof Fog Signals." It is thought that some foolish youths had possessed •themselves of a number of detonators

and had placed them oh the line with the object of frightening people. The -matter has been reported to the police. The rapid growth of the city and a more efficient system of checking, states an Auckland Tress Association telegram, have resulted in a marked increase in the traffic returns. For six months ended . June .30 the number of traffic licenses issued in Auckland was 9532, and the amount paid in fees was £4343, as against 7036 licenses and £2318 in fees for- the corresponding period of last year. The"licenses' issued in respect of • inotor-propeUed vehicles increased largely,

but the number of licenses issued to cab drivers and van men decreased by 24 and 64 respectively. At last quarterly meeting of the office-bearers of Leeston Methodist circuit, the balance-sheet showed a deficiency of £ls, though it was stated that extraordinary expenses for removals had amounted "to £3O. It was also reported that about £3O had been spent iu refurnishing the parsonage. Some anonymous donpr having offered J£s towards the expense, of a light motor car for conveying the minister to his many appointments more expeditiously, it was. decided to -hold a meeting of members throughout the circuit next month to consider the matter. Resolutions supporting the platform of the Bible-in-Schools League and against the increase in totalisator permits, were aprried.

FALL IN RUBBER. FALL INRUBBEB. TYRES GREATLY REDUCED. Twelve months ago we placed en the market in Christchurch the Best Value in Cyele Tyres ever offered. To-day we are prepared to improve on that. We are giving the public the benefit of the reduction we have seaured by giving them High-Grado Covers and Tubes at Lower Prices. Covers, High Grade, 5/- 7/6 & 10/-. Tubes „ „ 3/6 5/- & 8/6. The opposition may tell you these goods are perished or old gtock. Such is not the case. We' are prepared to guarantee these tyres to be absolutely new and good. Also Motor Covers, Tubes, and Belts at big reductions, during stock-taking. See windows for value. JONES BROS., LTD. Clock Tower, 122 Manchester Street. -"Also agents for the famous "King t)ick" Motor Cycle-

The second term at Canterbury College will commence on Saturday next, and that of the School of Engineering on Monday. Detective Torrance to-day arrested a man on a charge of having stolen a quantity of goods, valued at about £5, from the fronts of various city shops. Offences of this class are stated to have been fairly prevalent in the city of late. The accused will appear before the court to-morrow morning.

At last quarterly meeting of the Christchurch East circuit of the Methodist Church, a motion of sympathy to the widow and children of the late Mr R. Palk, steward of Windsor Church, was carried. The number of members on the roll was reported to be: —Senior 580, junior 188. The Sunday School scholars numbered 856, with an average attendance of 599. The balance-sheet showed a debit of £lO 3/11, due to removal expenses during the quarter. Motions in favour of the Bible-in-Schools Referendum Bill and against the proposed increase in racing days, were carried. It was decided to donate £5 towards the cost of bringing out Home missionaries from Cliff College. There was an excellent attendance at the last meeting of the St. Albans Methodist Literary Society, and keen interest was taken in the proceedings. The programme consisted of a debate between the Durham Street and St. Albans Societies on the proposition '' That there is need for a more radical Labour policy in New Zealand.'' The affirmative was taken by the visitors who were represented by Messrs B. Hampton and W. I. Dunlop, and the negative by Mr G. Hancox and M. A. Hassall. Each speaker dealt forcefully with the subject. In the subsequent discussion Messrs S. R. Webb, J. Dalmer, F. Flavell, and E. M. Edgar took part. As a result of the vote taken the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse announced that the honours of the evening had fallen to St. Albans.

At the quarterly meeting of the Sydenham Methodist Church very encouraging reports were received from the various branches, of the church's activities, the ladies' class, under the leadership of Mrs J. Peacock, sen., having been very successful. The number of members of the Church is the same as last year. The senior and junior Christian Endeavour Societies have been doing good work. The Sunday School roll shows that the number of scholars is still increasing, the present total being 342, with an average attendance of 261. Sister Florence has taken full control of the infant departr ment. Mr S. Maddrew has been appointed trustee, and Mr G. R. Davidson delegate to the Prohibition Council. Mr H. Field has been appointed secretary for the Home Mission Fund.

At the St. Albans Rechabite Tent meeting held on Thursday there was a good attendance. Sister L. Partridge was installed as Deputy Ruler, Sister Lukey as Minute Secretary, and Sister I. Partridge as Cash Steward. Bros. C. and I. Willis were appointed supporters to the Deputy Ruler. Arrangements were made in regard to a fraternal visit from the Enterprise Tent, and also one to the Woolston Tent. At the conclusion of a large amount of routine business a recess was declared in which impromptu speaking formed the programme. Sisters Partridge, Lecky, and Bros. Uiehards, Meadows, and Leebert were the contestants, the prize being secured by the Chief Ruler Bro. Leibert. The great respect in which the late J. R. Carlton was held, and more especially by the sporting community, found evidence in the large concourse that followed his remains to their last resting place in the Linwood Cemetery this afternoon. The cortege, a lengthy one, included representatives from the various racing and trotting institutions with which the deceased had been associated, and also a number of prominent sportsmen.

At the quarterly meeting of the Sydenham Methodist Church the chairman submitted a resolution protesting against any increase of racing permits under the proposed Gaming Act now before Parliament. It was decided to send the protest to the members for the district, and to the Government. This action was unanimously endorsed by the congregation last evening. At a meeting of the Spreydon Beautifying Association, Mr G. R. Whiting presiding, a report was received from those members of the committee who had canvassed the districts allotted to them for funds in aid of the society's work. It was stated that theresponse had been very gratifying in nearly every case, and that the outlook for the future was most hopeful. The third annual boys' exposition is to open in the Boys' Gordon Hall, Christchurch, on August 3, and will continue till August 8. Thirty-one separate classes in arts find grafts are specified, while handwriting and essaywriting contests, and a ping pong championship are also on the programme. Every boy who can make anything is invited to send it in to let people sec what boys can do. An entrance fee of one shilling is charged for each competitor, and the exhibitor's certificate which is issued on payment of the entrance fee carries with it free admission to the exhibition. The competitors will bo divided into two grades so that younger boys will not have to compete against those who are several years older. Entries must be in the hands of the Exposition Committee not later than July 18.