NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Mayor has received from Mr J. JR. McKenzie, of Dunedin, the sum of five guineas towards the Huntly Belief Fund.

A Press Association message from Blenheim states that Marlborough defeated Otago at Eugby by 24 points to

The Government Meteorologist announces that he expects good general rain over the whole Dominion soon. — Press Association.

At the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning a prohibition order was taken out against Albert Edward Cornish, on the application of his daughter.

The hospital authorities state that R. Perreau, the lad who- was run over by a tramcar last Thursday evening, seems to have taken a turn for the better.

A Press Association cable message states that the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. J. Scaddan, intends to introduce a Bill for the reform of the Legislative Council, on the lines of the New Zealand measure.

The new Masonic Hall which is to be "built in Gloucester Street, opposite the Synagogue, is not being built for the Provincial Grand Lodge, but by members of all Lodges in Christchureh, working both under the English and the New Zealand Constitution.

As a sign that unemployment is not so acute in Christchureh as it has been during the past couple 'of weeks, the Mayor announced this morning that of 25 men who were offered employment on the city relief works only 13 started, and of these five accepted work on the Cashmere Hills works.

A horse which was driven by a man named Lawry Devlin, and was attached to a gig,-bolted in Blackett Street, Bangiora, this morning. The driver was thrown out, but he fell on grass at the side of the road, and was not hurt. Before it was stopped, the horse knocked over a lamp-post and smashed the gig.

At its meeting this morning the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board referred the question of open-air homes for consumptive children to the Public Health Committee, which; is to report to the board after it has gone into the matter with -Dr. G. J. Blackmore, the board's medical director of tuberculosis institutions.

Our Parliamentary correspondent telegraphs that the "House last night •was engaged in a desultory discussion on the amendment to the National Provident Fund Act proposed by the Hon. Mr Pisher, setting up superannuation funds for local bodies' employees. The Bill with the Fire Brigades Amendment, Bill was ■• reported with minor amendments.

An advertisement appears, in this issue notifying the sale by auction of the right to the first flight in Mr Scotland's new Cauldron biplane. This interesting and novel auction will be conducted at Lancaster Park on Saturday next in the interval of the foot-' ball match. The privilege of conducting this sale has been conferred upon Mr E. G. Stayeley, who is one of the oldest and best known live stock auctioneers in Canterbury; The proceeds of the sale will go to the Patriotic Fund. * v

At the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning, before Captain J. R. Hatchwell and Mr W. C. Cleay, J.P's, John Thomas Patrick Quirke was charged with assaulting John William Burlind. Senior-Sergeant By an stated that a number of firemen off one' of the vessels in port had formed themselves into a ' f tin can'' . band, and after the hotels had closed they came into contact with a number of Territorials, one of whom was-knocked down. Burlind, who was. a sergeant, went to pick him up, and while doing so was assaulted. Accused had subsequently been identified as the assailant. A number of witnesses were called, but the evidence as regards identification seemed somewhat conflicting, and the Bench dsimissed the case.

The question of how to regulate lalour on the waterfront is not confined -to New Zealand, as is shown by the fact that, among several enquiries •which; have reached the Wellington Waterside Employment Association, is oae from the United States- Commission, on Industrial Relations, Washington. The writer, Mr W.'M. Leiserson; who is in. charge of unemployment investigation, say:—"The problem of casual labour among the waterfront workers ;is a very serious one with us, and we are studying it in order to work out some really effective remedy. We should appreciate it, therefore, if you wduld send us all the information possible about the details of your scheme. Any published material you may have on the problem of casual labour will be greatly appreciated." Mr W. 11. G. Bennett, manager of the association, has.responded by forwarding full information on the subject.