NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 299, 22 January 1915, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

A meeting will he held shortly to discuss the proposal to form a Microscopical Society in Christchurch.

Advice from Sydney states that interruption to the telegraphic service is canning delay in the transmission of cable news.

A special meeting of the Waipara County Council will be held on Saturday, January .'!(), at 2 p.m., to fix the day for the half-holiday. According to a Press Association cablegram the Orient, liuer Opliir, which ran aground in the Sue/. Canal, has been refloated, apparently undamaged. The Canterbury Caledonian Society has decided not to hold its Burns Anniversary this year, considering that this is not a titling time for social gatherings. . In connection with the fete at Sumner ! to-morrow, trams will run every 15 minutes throughout the day till 7.15 p.m. Sixpenny seaside return excursion tickets will not be sold on the Sumner line. The art union in connection witlfthe dressed doll exhibited in Mr J. B. McKenzie's window was drawn yesterday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr H. Holland), when 095 came out as the winning'number. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that at a largely at- j tended meeting of shopkeepers last night an association was formed for the I purpose of promoting'a Saturday half-1 holiday movement. It. is intended to ' vigorously agitate the question during the forthcoming municipal elections. ■ Mr W. Scotland, the New Zealand aviator, has decided to join the Aviation Corps at the front. He sails for England in'about three weeks' time. Dismissing the possibilities of flying in New Zealand, Mr Scotland expresses the opinion that Canterbury is the best district, and if a school of aviation is ever set up in the Dominion, Christchurch is the most suitable centre. The usual weekly concert in connection with the Lyttelton Seamen's Institute was held last evening. There were two ocean-going steamers in port, and a large number of seamen attended. Items were contributed by Misses Burns, Bettel, Chop!in, Woodward, Simpson, Good, Mesdames Choplin, Rhodda, and Mr Eliodda, while several members of the s.s. Remuera Social and Athletic Club also took part. Refreshments were provided by members of the Lyttelton Ladies' Guild, and during the interval ! Miss Hatchwcl] played patriotic.songs. On Monday evening next the 156 th anniversary of the birth of "Robert Burns will be celebrated by the; Scottish. Society of New: Zealand-ii. their.-rooms, Manchester. Street. The entertainment arranged is intended to show by lecture, song, and recitation the ideals of humanity, social' democracy, aiul' patriotic sentiment ingrained in the nature of the "Ploughman Bard." The whole programme "will be carried out by Mr J. B. Strutliers and his family. During the evening the society's "Pirlie Pig" will be produced, in aid. of the Belgian Fund. j The New Brighton Marine Band will I play the following programme of music ! on the local rotumla on Sunday after - | noon, commencing .. at 2.45: —March; "National Guard" (Lithgow) ; overture) "The Mountaineer" (H. Round); cornet solo, "Alice, Where Art Thou" (J. Ascher), soloist P. Reeves; march, "Sandhurst" (Buleh); minuet, "Queen Anne " (L. Raymond); Mendelssohn, "Spring Song" (W. Rimmer); sacred fantasia, "Ora Pro Nobis' '(Pic:*olomini) ; march, "Lvonia" (Trussell).

To-day's river report states that the rivers of the district are clear with the