NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 47, 1 April 1914, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The riVer report states that all' the rivers in the district are clear to-day. The Minister of Marine has approved of the installation of a lighted whistling buoy at the entrance of the port of Lyttelton. The Public Service Stores Tender Board are inviting offers for the supply of large quantities of bolts* cups, seals, and wire. Applications are being invited for the position of District Health Officer at Dunedin at a salary of £SOO rising to £7OO. Arnold Sharp, a young man from Rangiora, was motor-cycling through Fendalton last night when he collided with a tram at the corner of Waiwetu Road. His machine fell on him and he fractured his leg,, being removed to the hospital for treatment. The current number.of the "Gazette" states that the Postmaster-General, the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, has prohibited the transmission and ~ negotiation of money orders and postal correspondence to the International Turf Draw Syndicate, Milan, Italy. A general meeting of the newly-formed Lyttelton Women's Political Club was held in the Club Hall on Tuesday afternoon, March 31. A presidential address was given by Mrs Newell on general politics, and at the conclusion questions were invited and answered. Mr R. S. M'Kenbie, the well-known auctioneer, and Mr Joseph Willis have dissolved partnership. Mr Willis will carry on business at the old address, and Mr M'Kenzie starts on his own account in temporary premises in Cathedral Square, pending the completion of his new auction rooms in Cashel Street, adjoining the Dresden Piano Company's premises in course of erection. At the conclusion of the school swimming races at Kaiapoi yesterday a boy named Phillips got into difficulties through remaining too long in the water. Another boy, F. Bryden, held him up, but was unable to complete the rescue: Mr H. Oram promptly jumped in and brought him out, and within a few minutes the boy had recovered sufficiently to go home. Mr R. Hoppy, Secretary of the Christchurch Drapers' Assistants' Union denies the report that his union ip affiliated with the Social-Democratic Union., Mr Hoppy, who has been in Auckland for some weeks, states that the Drapers' Assistants'' Union there is making great progress, and it is hoped to secure a Dominion award next year. A somewhat inebriated middle-aged pugilist had the misfortune this morning to come off second best in a minor combat, and in order to effect repairs betook himself cheerfully to the outpatients' ward of the hospital, receiving treatment for a slightly damaged UpThe Building Committee of the North Canterbury Education Board last evening met the executive of the School Building Association to talk over the question of the heating of schools. The board agreed that they were anxious to make the best possible arrangements for the heating of their schools.

A social was held in the Woolston Druids Hall last night under the auspices of the Woolston branch of the Social-Democratic Party. There was a good attendance of members aud friends. Amongst the visitors were Messrs J. M'Combs, ' M.P., and J. J. Graham, Mayor of Woolston. After sfeveral musical items dancing was indulged in till midnight. The ladies handed round light refreshments. It is said that a taxi company in the city was nicely taken in this morning by some first of April enthusiast. A person, unknown, rang up, asking that a taxi-cab be despatched with all haste to an address given. A man was sent, but after spending some time in search of the house, he returned to the garage, reporting that the place could, not be found. Some budding genius then discovered that the number given was the number of the office of the taxi company.

At a meeting of the Eiccarton Borough Council last night, the Mayor (Mr J. Reynolds) moved that the Town Clerk get out subscription lists asking for assistance for Mr Chambers,, a butcher of the' borough who had had a run of very bad luck, and was in straitened circumstances. Mr Chambers had only recently set up in business for himself, but since that time he had been burnt out, and just recently had had a serious smash with his cart, having to go to the hospital with a broken leg. Cr Ford supported the motion, which was carried unanimously. The return asked for by Mr R. Scott, M.P., during last session, as to the amount of law costs in connection with the compulsory taking of estates under the Land for Settlement Act has now been printed. From November 11, 1895, to January 12, 1907, the amount has been £12,587 §/6, including out of pocket disbursements of £1268 5/5. The return is detailed, setting out the names of the estates dealt dealt with, the solicitors employed, the amount paid, and to whom in each transaction, and the period over whifeh the service extended. Of the return, 1400 copies have been printed, at an approximate cost of £2 10/-.

Transactions in bankruptcy in the Canterbury district for the year ending December 31, 1913, are as follow: —Under £SO: Christcliureh 2, Asliburton 0, Timaru 0. From £SO to £100: Christchurch 4, Ashburton 0, Timaru 2. From £IOO to £250: Christchurch 9, Ashburton 0, Timaru 7. From £250 to £500: Christchurch 8, Ashburton 2, Timaru 1. From £SOO to £1000: Christchurch 5, Ashburton 3, Timaru 2. From £IOOO to £2000: Christchurch 4, Ashburton 0, Timaru 1. From. £2OOO. to £5000: Christchurch 1, Ashburton 1, Timaru 1. From £SOOO and upwards: Christchurch 0, Ashburton 0, Timaru 1. The total transactions for the Canterbury district for the year thus number 44. A choir boy of St. Paul's Church, Papanui,, fell a victim to the world the flesh and the devil, and while the service was on the other Sunday night he stole from the sacred edifice and sought the place where the cycles stood. Some he punctured, and upon the saddles of others he spread rubber solution, a very sticky substance. So there was great grief, woe, and tribulation amongst those who had been worshippers. The police took a hand in the game, and this morning a most subdued boy faced Messrs H. Langford and T. Fraser, charged with damage. The Bench lectured him severely, and paternally ordered his father to pay 13/10 and 12/- and 2/- on a second charge for the grief, woe, and tribulation, ills, damage, and other ev.ils lie had occasioned by his rash and unchurchly acts, and the costs of witnesses.