NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 116, 22 June 1914, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

According to a cablegram from London, an Order-in-Council under the Explosives Act makes acetylene gas an explosive. The following tenders for leases of railway bookstalls have been accepted by the Department: —Lyttelton, Ashbnrton, Oainaru, Books and Papers, Ltd.; Christchurch, Simpson and Williams; Timaru, 11. L. Betts. —Press Association.

The maximum temperature recorded at Kennedy's Bush for the previous 24 hours, up to noon yesterday, was 70 degress, and the minimum i>9. The minimum in Christchurch was 31, and the maximum 49.

In the June number of the "Canterbury College Review'' appreciative reference is made to "The House," the second number of which was recently printed by THE SUN Company for the students of College House. "It is a beautifully printed publication,'.' comments the '' Review," " and reflects great credit on THE SUN, which is responsible for this important feature." The lady superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital acknowledges with thanks the receipt of magazines from the Girls' Zealandia Magazine Club, Mesdames Retullick, Cyrus Williams, R. M. M 'Donald, and Neave, and Messrs Ballantyne aud Co.; also old linen from Mesdames Arres (per Canon Bean), Waller, and Frere, aud toys and fruit from Alex. Kite and the Church of Christ Mission School.

Probably most public speakers (says the London '' Chronicle'') have at one time or another suffered the annoyance of being inisreported. A peculiarly unfortamate instance is recalled by Mr G. W. E. Russell in one of his books. "A clerical uncle of mine," writes Mr Russell, "took the pledge in his old age, and at a public meeting stated that his reason for doing so was that for thirty years he had been trying to cure drunkards by making them drink in moderation, but had never once succeeded. He was thus reported: 'The reverend gentleman stated that his reason for taking the pledge was that for thirty years he had been trying to drink in moderation, but had never once succeeded !' "

The Cambrian Society of Canterbury,, held a social at the Y.M.C.A. on Saturday evening to celebrate the birthday of the Princo. of Wales. There was a fair attendance in spite, of the wretched we.ather, and a very enjoyabltf evening was spent. Mr H. M. Williams, the vice-president of the society, was in the chair and "gave an interesting address on Welsh History from the time of the first Prince of Wales in 1284 to the time of the Prince Edward of tq-day. A very strong programme of pianoforte selections, songs, recitations, and games was submitted, the Misses N. Davies, A.L. C.M., N. Rogers, and Messrs Rogers, Newburgh, Edwards, and the Cambrian Glee Party contributing items. During the evening refreshments were served by the ladies,"and' tile meeting closed, by Miss N. Rogers singing "God Bless the Prince of Wales."

The long period of quietness as the result of the hurricanes is practically »at an end (writes the Auckland "Herald's" Nukualofa correspondent). The cocoanut trees have recovered and arc bearing profusely, with a result that copra is again available for export." In I Yavau shipping has begun, the monthly. I output at prescut averaging about 60 tons. In Tongatabu and Haapai the copra is just maturing, and, although the present shipments are small, each month will see an increased amount available for export. The- full benefit of the crbps generally will not be felt i uutil next year, when, aecordiug to the | best J authorities, the copra output will ! be oxi a par with the best periods ever I experienced in Tonga.

The establishment _of a wireless station with a range of from 600 to 1000 miles' is one of the requirements of the Cook Islands, New Zealand's important dependency (states the ■'' Post V' special correspondent). Under present'conditions, the islanders' only method of communicating with New Zealand is by the fortnightly steamers, and those engaged in the growing fruit-exporting industry would like to be in closer touch with their markets. They say that they arc prepared to pay a tax on their fruit sufficient to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a wireless station, which would enable tjieiii to get into communication with Awanui through the steamers which are generally plying somewhere in the intervening ocean. The French Administration is now establishing a high-power wireless station in Tahiti.

When conveying the Governor around the islands'of the Cook Group recently, the Government steamer Tutanekai carried a small stock of rockets, and at night, at various islands, a few of these were sent up for the entertainment of the natives. Some of the Maoris, however, had never made acquaintance with the modern fireworks, and at the lonely island of Mitiaro, where there is no white resident, the first rocket sent up spread terror abroad. A section of the population, with shrill cries of affright, rushed away into the bush, and the remainder of the people were only prevented from following a like cqurse by a couple of members of the Governor 's party, who happened to be ashore, and who were, able, in broken j'Jnglish and Maori, to explain the meaning, aiid tlie good intentions pf the pakelia's pyrotechnical display.;

STOCK TAKING SALE OF SECOND-HAND MOTOR CYCLES At Greatly Reduced Prices, FOR ONE MONTH ONLY. 10 per cent, off present prices for cash during Sale, f 1 5-6 KING DICK TWIN, 3-speed; as good as new £77 10 0 1 31 h.p. HUMBEB, 2-speed 47 10 0 1 Only \j\. h.p. KING DICK, u-speed; Sturmey-Archer gear 55 0 0 2 3* li.p. KING DICKS, 2speed .. 52 10 0 1 Only 31 SINGER, free engine . . .. 45 0 0 1 On!v 3 V h.p. 2-speed PRECISION 35 '0 0 2 3J h.p; KING DICKS, fixed engine 35 0 0 •2 T. Trophy .KING DICKS, 1914 model, 3-A- h.p.; as good as new; only run a few miles 52 10 0 1 T., Trophy SINGER, oi h.p., 1914 model; good-as new 55 0 0 These Motor Cycles have been thoroughly overhauled by us, therefore we ean thoroughly recommend them to intending purchasers. JONES BROS., LTD., .CLOCK TOWER,. H. Jones, Outside Rep. Christchurch.