NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 55, 11 April 1914, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

To-day's report states that the rivers of the district are all clear.

The Seddonville State colliery is to close down at the end of this month. It is understood the closing is to be permanent.—Press Association.

Only'one first offender appeared at the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning. The presiding Justice (Mr C. Perrier) convicted and discharged him.

Owing to unforseen difficulties, Mr B. Jordon will be unable to conduct his secretarial duties in connection with the Eangiora winter show. Mr J. Henshaw will act in his stead as from Friday, April 17. There was nothing of the law's proverbial delay about the sitting of the Magistrate's Court this morning. Indeed, business was pushed through slickly. Sixteen prisoners were dealt with by Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., in eight minutes. At the Cathedral to-morrow, Easter Day, there will be Holy Communion at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., matins at 10.15, choral Eucharist at 11 a.m., when the Bishop will preach J children's service at 3 p.m., and evensong at 7 p.m, when the Dean will preach. While carrying out shunting operations at the railway station yesterday afternoon, a shunter named F. A. Elliott was knocked down and received a severe scalp wound. He was attended to at the out-patients' ward of the Hospital, and was able to return home. At its meeting on Wednesday last, the Akaroa Borough Council discussed the letter in which the Minister of Defence asked it to suggest a suitable alternative for conscientious objectors to compulsory military service. It was stated clearly that the military "shuffler" was not known in the borough, or in fact on the Peninsula. This being the case, the council declared it had no suggestions to make. The Art Society will complete the third week of its exhibition to-day, and the sales have exceeded those for the whole period of last year by over £IOO. On Wednesday next the diplomas awarded at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition will be presented by the President, and pn Thursday evening the public art union will be drawn. As only a week remains to visit this excellent collection of paintings, the public should make an effort to patronise the exhibition. The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7.30 to 9.30.

There has been an increase in the number of passengers arriving from the north by the ferry boats and assisting vessels this Easter. On Thursday the Wahine brought 610 and the Westralia also had a fair number. Yesterday the Maori brought 694, and later the MoeTaki landed 411. In each ease special trains were in readiness. This morning the Maori brought 446 passengers. The largest number of excursionists ,from Lyttelton to Wellington was taken by the Wahine on Thursday night, when she conveyed 758 passengers. Last night the Maori took 250 passengers. There wiH also be a large number for the north by the Wahine and Warrimoo to-night.

At a meeting of the Honorary Territorials attached to the Christ's College Senior Cadets, Mr E. W. Eelph presided over a fair attendance. The chairman expressed the opinion that more might be done, and advised them to keep on with the movement. The following executive was elected:-—Pre-sident, Mr Geo. Harris vice-president, Mr E. W. Eelph; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. L. Hart; assistant secretaries, Misses B. L. and M. L. Boss; committee, Mesdames Geo. Harris, ¥. I. Cowlishaw, J. S. Thomson, L. Lane, and W. H. Wanklyn, MessTS P. H. Cox, H. Hudson, Bev. Bryan-Brown, Dr Thomas, and J. Vernon. The amount of the annual subscription was fixed at 2/6. A six-day week' campaign will be entered upon shortly by the Wellington Trades and Labour Council. At a meeting of that body on Wednesday evening, Mr J. Campbell presiding, it was resolved to place on -record the council's satisfaction at the- gaining of a six-day week by the hotel workers, and to congratulate that union and its secretary (Mr E. J. Carey) on their achievement. The secretary of the council (Mr L. M. A. Bear don) presented a report in connection with the police and prison officials, and also the gas and coke and other workers, and it was decided to inaugurate a campaign to extend the same concession to these people who now work seven days a week. The council is confident that it will have the full support and co-operation of the general community in its proposed fight. The shipping business hitherto carried on in the name of the Tyser Line, Limited, hasv been amalgamated with that of the Star Line, Limited, the Indra Line, Limited, and Messrs William Milburn and Co., and the AngloAustralasian Steam Navigation Co., Limited. The whole of the steamers hitherto trading to Australia and New Zealand under the flags of the above lines have been acquired by a new company, which was incorporated in London, and registered in the name of the "Commonwealth and Dominion Line, Limited, " with a capital of £2,000,000. The flag of the Tyser Line, so well known in the trade for a quarter of a century, will continue to be the distinguishing emblem. The business will be carried on under the guidance of the same executive as hitherto, and the management in New Zealand remains unchanged. Captain Eichard Todd has been appointed a colonial director of the company and holds full powers of attorney from the London board.

In the Normal School for small children just completed at Kelburne (Wellington) the student teachers will receive training in actual class work—in the organisation and management of school classes. There is the kindergarten "for little ones of from three to five years; and there are departments for older children. The instruction given the younger children is not intended as a preparation for school life, but rather as a means of occupying them in the most suitable, entertaining, and agreeably-instructive manner for three hours of the day. Their work will consist in the care of pets—animals., birds, gold fish, and plants. They will also be provided with toys designed to give the necessary sense-training. The building is in all respects thoroughly ap to date, says the "Post." It is a model school building—bright and airy, and with suitable surroundings.