NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 242, 16 November 1914, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Telegraph Department advises that at 9 a.m. to-day the Waimakariri north and south, Waitaki, and the Opihi rivers were clear, while the Rakaia and Rangitata were dirty.

A Press Association telegram from Wairoa states that a railway camp has been established at the niouth of- the Scamperdown, near Frasertown, locating, the east coast line to the north of the Wairoa Borough. It is understood that the line will now cross at Ruataniwha, sweeping in close to the borough and back northwards, thus avoiding a branch line.

Arthur F. Chilcot, 34 years of age, and employed at the Central Fire Brigade Station, received injury to his ribs through being knocked off a ladder, while engaged in suppressing a fire in Lihwood Avenue, between three and four o'clock yesterday morning. He was conveyed to the hospital for treatment, anH is reported to be progressing favourably; Amongst the recent acquisitions to the Canterbury Museum is a magpie's nest, presented by Mr Richard Bethell, of Culverdeu. A copy of the journal of-the members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on board H.M.N.Z.T. No. 11 (Athenic) has also been presented. . This paper, which was printed on board the troopship, was forwarded to the museum by Mr A. G. Burns, and is entitled "The, Athenian Lyre;'.' There are at present. 10G married men and 38 single men entered on the books of the Labour Department as seeking employment. Four "men "were sent to the City Council this morning, and probably twelve will be sent up to Gisborne this evening. Last week eleven married men and eight single men were placed. -■-..'■: .•■•'■ Frank"J. Carroll, a railway employee, residing in 24 Dublin Street, Lyttelton, narrowly escaped a serious accident in the railway yards. this morning. Carroll, who is a number shatcher, attempted to jump on\ the front of the engine of the 11 a.m. goods train front Christchurch. . .He missed his footing, and the, front wheel of the engine passed over his foot, crushing several toes. ' The sufferer was removed to the casualty ward. . Mr W. Pearce, officer in ■charge of for the Bfc. John. Ambulance Brigadvj reports that detachments attended, the races at EieeaH.o i and Ail dingvpn during Camivi-l '.Week, and twenty minor cases w.ere dealt with Twelve nursing sisters and twelve ambulance men attended the Metropolitan Show, when fifteen cases' were attended and twenty lost children taken care of. The arrangements, which were very satisfactory, were under Mr Pearce's personal supervision.

Mrs Annie Poninghaus, aged 66 years, wife of Mr H. Poninghaus, died suddenly about midnight on Friday at Ohoka. . She had complained of feeling ill. during, the day, but. had not been attended by a doctor for twelve months. Three and a-half years ago she fell out of a vehicle and had one or two ribs broken. At an inquest held by Mr T. A. B. Bailey, District Coroner, on Saturday, Dr J. H. Crawshaw gave evidence that death was due to heart failure, and a.verdict of death from natural causes was vfturned.

' Many excuses are put forward by men who wish to evade service on the common jury, but it is not often that a sunimoued juror puts forward the plea that he has reached the age limit. One citizen had a harrow escape when the jury was empanelled at the Christchurch Supreme Court to-day. He produced a birth certificate showing that tomorrow he would reach the age limit (60). As an additional reason for excuse, he

stated that he had *to provide work for 30 people. "We shan't worry about that,'' said his Honour Mr Justice Denniston, smilingly; "you will have the benefit of the extra day. You are excused. ''

In the opinion of Mr A. H. Grinling, of Dunedin, editor of the New Zealand "Outlook," who arrived in Wellington from Europe, via Sydney, on Tuesday, it is not likely that even the present crisis would lead the English people to go in for compulsory military service, for there was a very strong feeling against anything of the kind throughout nearly all classes in England. It was very evident that Lord Kitchener did not mean to let any half-trained troops, go abroad to face the German Army, and for that reason he was holding back thousands of men who were being trained for all they were worth. This meant that until these troops had finished their training instructors were not available to train fresh batches of men. Even the Canadians, who were xery far from being recruits, were not being sent across the channel, but were undergoing more training in England, and it was exceedingly unlikely that the Australians or New Zealauders would be sent to the front without further training in England.

MOTOE CYCLES.

Wo have just landed a shipment of King -Dick and Singer Motor Cycles, finished in dove grey, with several improvements. There is no need to dwell on the quality of these Motors, as recent results can prove; winning every side car trial except one takes a lot of beating. These victories speak for themsp.vea. Sole Agents: JONES TBROS., LTD., 122 Manchester Street. Inspection invited. Catalogue free. Note. —We have a few good Secondbaud Motors for sale, cheap. 243

The contributions to the Belgian Fund made at the concert given by the Orchestral Society at. the, Colosseum last evening amounted to £7l 3/l£. The Crown will not proceed with the case of George Joseph Dobbs, committed for trial to the Supreme Court on;a charge of carnal knowledge. The evidence against Dobbs is the same as that' adduced in the case of James 'Wilson, who was acquitted, and as a result the Attorney-General has ordered a stay of proceedings. A burning question with bowlers and bowling clubs throughout the Dominion at the present time is the new rule recently adopted by the Dominion Association, which states that a player, when delivering his bowl, must have' his two feet on the inat. Many players object' to going through the drudgery of learning a new style, and adopting an attitude on the mat which is neither graceful nor effective.