NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 263, 10 December 1914, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The river report issued at 9 a.m. today states that the River is dirty and high, the Waimakariri is dirty and all the other streams are clear. A fish, claimed to be distinctly rare, has been washed up on the Te Horo beach. In shape and size it resembles a schnapper, but the body resembles a mass of barbed -wire. The annual meeting in connection with the grocers' picnic was held in the Trades Hall last week, and it was decided to hold the picnic on February 6, at Amberiey. A collection made in Napier last Saturday realised nearly £9OO in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, and even then there were sonie collecting boxes to come in. A return made up by the Treasury to December 7 shows that the New Zealand public's contribution to the war fund to that date amounts in cash to £137,031. For the Belgium Relief and other funds, the amount received by the Government was £13,774, making a total 'of £150,805. Last Monday was the anniversary of the great fire of 1868 in Timaru, and on the anniversary the Timaru firebell rang out- shortly after midday, and in a nor'-wester, at about the same time, and in just such a wind, as was the case 46 years ago. Fortunately the fire caused but little damage, while that of 1868 almost wiped the town out. A rather novel method of supplementing the Belgian Relief Fund was adopted aA Ohakune on the occasion of the official opening of the electric power and plant. The cork from the champagne bottle broken on the turbine was seized by the towxt-clerk, Mr Gosse, and submitted to public auction. The cork changed hands a good many times and eventually passed out of competition when something like £7 14/- had been realised. The deaths from cancer in New Zealand during the last few years have increased with an almost alarming rapidity. In 1904 the number of persons 'who-, died from this disease was 571, while in 1913 the number had increased to 856. Only thirty-seven of the .latter were under thirty years of ;age. If we reckon that one-half of the population of the Dominion is over thirty years of age, we find that almost one in every fifty matured persons dies from cancer. A very old resident of the Hutt Valley, in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Smith, has passed away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs S. A. Fitzmaurice, Fitzherbert Street, Alicetown, aged" 94 years. Deceased had lived in the Lower Hutt for o*er 50 years. She married at Wellington the late Mr Robert Smith, of Essex/ England, and went to the Lower Hutt with two children. She had a family of fourteen of whom four daughters and two sons are . left to mourn their loss. A meeting of the Schedule Committee of the Domain Ro<| Carnival was held yesterday. It was decided that all exhibits must be staged not later than 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. The secretary reported that, there was a promise of good entries in all classes. The show will be held in a large marquee at the Gardens, specially made by Messrs Johnson and Couzins for the carmyal. The Crown Brewery Company, lias forwarded a cheque for £2 2/- towards the prize fund of the carnival. " At a meeting of fruitgrowers held at Hastings, Hawke's Bay, last Saturday, an appeal was made for gifts of fruit and vegetables for the troops in the training camp at'Trentham. Mr Allan White, of Apsey, White and Co., said that the proposal had his' fullest support, if necessary, but it was the

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duty of the Government to feed their camps, and, as both vegetables and fruit were necessary to maintain the proper standard of health amongst the men, the Government should discharge their obligations. Vegetables were cheap, cabbages being only 3/- per sack in Wei lington, and should not be the shortage said to be complained of by the sergeant who made the application. At the meeting of the Hawke's Bay -Fruitgrowers' Association, held in Hastings a few days ago, the Dominion's representative in the Argentine pointed out in his report that the second consignment of fruit was not up to the quality of the first. On the whole, he said, the deterioration in quality, grading, and packing of this season's fruit, compared with previous season's consignments, had done much to shake the confidence of South American buyers, who are disinclined to risk further consignments of New Zealand fruit unless sufficient guarantee is forthcoming that the fruit will arrive in good condition, carefully packed and properly graded. He pointed out, in addition, that the fruit received by the New Zealand Shipping Company's boats was invariably in better condition on arrival than that received by the Shaw, Savill line. MOTOR CYCIiES. We 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 sid? car trial except one takes a lot of beating. These victories speak for themselves. Sole Agents: JONES BROS., LTD., 122 Manchester street. Inspection invited. Catalogue free. Note. —We have a few good Secondhand Motors for sale, cheap. 243

A Press Association message from Dunedin states that William Georgd Miller, aged sixty, was killed last night at Clarendon by a kick from a horse. Belgium was the most densely-popu-lated country in the world, with an average of 636 inhabitants to the square mile. '

Automatic machines supplying hot milk have been placed in all the principal squares of Stockholm by the Swedish Temperance Society. The Army Council, in a letter to the English Football Association, states the question whether the playing of matches should be entirely / stopped is a matter for the discretion of the association, and that they would deprecate anything being done which does iu)t appear to be called for by the present situation.

No other regiment in any existing army undergoes such Spartan training as the French Foreign Legion, of which a detcliment is now in the firing line., When at their headquarters, Sidi-bel-Abbes, the legionaries are marched oif for' occasional training trips of 300 miles or more, in continuous daily stages of 24 miles, with only five minutes' 'halt-every six miles.

At the Wyndham Show, Inspector Robson, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, had occasion to reprimand several exhibitors for neglecting their cows when they stood in need of milking. He stated that action would be taken against any who committed similar offences in future, as the neglect is a source of intense pain to the animals, and affords an adequate basis for legal proceedings.

Arrangements are' well in hand for the Christchurch Domain Rose Carnival to be held on Saturday. Several marquees have already b£en erected,: and the paths and beds lend every available aid to the beauty of the Gardens. The rose beds are specially attractive at present; but they should be seen at their best towards the end of the week if the weflther keeps favourable. The flower beds and several of the flowering shrubs present a perfect pieture, while the huge trees robed in their summer garments lend a peaceful aspect to the scene. Altogether, the-attractiveness of the Gardens should prove a valuable asset in making the carnival a complete success.

The distribution of prizes in connection with the primary school classes in cookery, laundry work, and woodwork j will take place to-morrow afternoon in | the Technical College Hall, Barbadoes Street, at 2 o'clock. Mr George Rennie, chairman of the Education Board, mil give an address, and the prizes will be presented by Mr C. H. Opie, chairman of the Normal School and Technical Committee. Parents and friends of pupils and all interested in manual training are cordially invited to 'be present.

The executive of the Rose . Carnival a few days ago asked the Mayor to use his influence in getting Saturday observed as a half-holiday, since, election day being taken as a half-holiday by many shops and other business places, these places would be under no necessity of closing on the statutory half-holiday, and if most of the shops kept open on Saturday it was feared that the success of the Rose Carnival would be seriously interfered with. The Mayor promised to do what he could in the matter, and this morning he informed a Sun representative that he had seen a majority of the principal business firms in the city, and, with the' exception of the grocery businesses, they had all agreed to close on Saturday afternoon. This action on their part will- do much to ensure the success of the Rose Carnival. MOTOB CYCLES. Our efforts to clear sundry machines at reduced prices have resulted in the balance of 3 A h.p. fixed and free engine machines being disposed of at quotations. There are still the following:— 1 3s. h.p. 3-spoed single £6O; 1 2$ do., £SO; 1 do., lady's, £4O; 1 3£ h.p. twin, 2-speed, £6O. No other machine presents such remarkable value and permits of a year's riding, including depreciation on re-sale, on the difference in cost between these "Matchless' ma chines and any others. We have for the first time this year a complete 4 4 Matchless'' side car outfit for delivery from stock. It is the last of a shipment of 18. It is fitted with English coach-built body of the highest quality that can be produced, and is the finest motor cycle outfit for sale in Chrtstchurch at the present time. The shipment arrived just in time for the show, and sales made before and during the show reduced our stock to the one now offered. Motor cyclists who wish to enjoy the whole summer's riding on the most perfect running, silent, and powerful machine that can be bought for the money, should make immediate enquiries.—-Matchless Motor Agency, N.Z., 92 Manchester St., Christchurch. .36

For the benefit of all people in poor circumstances, a quantity of vegetables has been left at the disposal of the Mayor for distribution, and any who are in need are invited to call at the City Council Chambers at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning, when they will be distributed free.

A majority of the Wanganui chemists have forwarded last week a requisition to the Labour Department, asking that they be permitted to. close at 6 p.m. after New Year. It is proposed to establish a system for the dispensing of urgently required after that hour.

The Port of London Authority has intimated to the Government its intention of making no charge for its services in connection with the storage of such portions of the gifts of flour, cheese, and coal from Canada, Quebec, and Nova Scotia as may be sent to the Port' of London.

The knell has been rung of the British German Friendship Society, which came into being in May, 1911, under the aegis of the late Lord Avebury and Sir Frank Lascelles, formerly our Ambassador in Berlin. Sir Frank presided at a general meeting of , members in London- recently, at which it was resolved:"That it is desirable that this society be wound up forthwith." Its funds are to be distributed for relief of British subjects in Germany and distressed Germans in England. Mr T. E. Sedgwick is due in Australia this month by the Demosthenes, in charge of a party of boys who are tc take up work on stations. He .is takinf out lads under eighteen years of ag this time, so as not to interfere with tb work and requirements of Lord Ki chener. Mr Sedgwick expects to be ' ; New Zealand about Christmas, and e has in his mind-a scheme for work 'ei: j found in Australasia for widows of men killed in the war, women probably with two or three young children.