NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 827, 4 October 1916, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Three seamen of the coastal stoamer Opawa were arrested at Blenheim yesterday on charges of cargo broaching. They have been remanded until Friday, states a Press Association message. At the invitation of the general manager, the tramways staff has very generously responded to the suggestion that special Christmas gifts should be sent to tramway men at the front. The members of the board have also contributed, and a very substantial amount is in hand for the purpose mentioned. At the last meeting of the Canterbury Education Board, a resolution was carried that the Finance Committee should be the whole board. Under the recentlydissolved North Canterbury Board, the Buildings Committee also acted as the Finance Committee. Mr John Jamieson has given notice of motion to rescind that resolution, with a view to reverting to the old practice. The Christchurch Boys' High School will hold its annual sports at Hagley Park South on Friday next. The boys are giving up their prizes this year again, in order to provide each Old Boy at the front with a Christmas gift. As there are now over 400 Old Boys at the front, a considerable sum is required, and it has been decided to make a collection at the gates, and also to make a small charge for the programmes. There are big entries in the various events, and the contests for the Junior and Senior Champion Cups promise to be close. Given line weather, good sport is assured.

While en route to Auckland from East Coast ports, the small steamer Mako, which arrived at Auckland on Monday afternoon, picked up two casks of brandy near the East Cape. The brandy was discovered to have formed part of the cargo of the ill-fated Tongariro, which was wrecked on Bull Rock on August 30, and upon the Mako's arrival the casks were handed over to the Customs authorities. A strange coincidence in connection with the "find" was that the casks, which had drifted over 100 miles from the scene of the wreck, were both consigned to the same firm, and were numbered 48 and 49 respectively, and that they were found close together.

An unrehearsed, but very effective, acrobatic stunt was performed in Hereford Street, near the old Parcels Post Office, yesterday afternoon. The roadway is being freshly tarred there. Stepping carelessly off the pavement, a pedestrian disdained to cross where gravel had been placed, but essayed to cross over fresh tar. He had just passed the crown of the road, when his feet shot from under him, and ho slid in a tangle of arms and legs along the glistening black surface. When he arose, he presented a decidedly piebald appearance. For some little time thereafter a couple of workmen laboured at removing some of the quantity—by no means small—of tar which was spread over the amateur acrobat's clothing. The heathen Chinee is not the only person whose ways are peculiar. One of the Australian transports put in at Madeira. Portuguese gunboat men I crowded alongside. Ingenious and impecunious soldiers cut off the top of some of the Y.M.C.A. letter paper, which has a large vari coloured letterhead, and wrote a big 5 on each, and passed them off as Australian 5/- notes. The Portuguese accepted them with avidity. But one noblest Australian of them all passed down a genuine pound-note, for a bottle of wine costing 4/-. As change he received three of the newly-created 5/- notes and one good shilling, together with the precious bottle. The change made him glower. The wine when tasted turned out to be sea water. The Portuguese are still smiling. Tlio usual quarterly meeting of the Court Star of Canterbury, Ancient Order of Foresters, was held on Monday, when matters connected with the forthcoming meeting of the district were considered, Bro. A. E. Lane, P.C.R., being nominated as D.B. Bro. H. Owen, P.D.C.R.; Bro. J. Y. Beattie, P.D.C.R.; Bro. J. Mathew, P.D.C.R.; and Bro. W. W. Tanner, P.C.R., were elected delegates. The District Executive visited the court, and was accorded a hearty welcome by the C.R., Bro. F. J. Weakley. The D.C.R., Bro. W. E. Inglis, on behalf of the court, presented Bro. C. W. F. Higgott, P.C.R., with a medal, in recognition of his services as C.R. for the half-year ending June 30, and afterwards, by request, unveiled a handsome roll of honour that had been erected in the room, showing that some 20 members of the coui't had proceeded to the front.

Rowing clubs are beginning to bestir themselves in preparation for the opening of the boating season, which will bo held on Saturday, October 21. It will be a "Patriotic Day," all pro-I ceeds being devoted to "Our Day" Fund. All the clubs will take part in the procession, and every effort is be- j ing made to assure it being a spectacu- j lar one. Decorated boats and novelty i crews will take part. A number of rowing races will be held during the afternoon, and the committee is en- j deavouring to arrange for other at- [ tractions which will provide interest and amusement. Afternoon tea at 6d I a time will be provided at the club's boathouses. Given fine weather, there is every prospect of a very successful j day. All the clubs have a large pro- : portion of their members away at. the j front, therefore it behoves those left j behind to bestir themselves on this occasion, and help to mako the old stand- j ing fixture what it has been in the past, j A band has been engaged to enliven the proceedings, and in the evening the ' various clubs will entertain their guests. I The different clubs are already begin- | ning to renovate their plant for the coming season. Altogether, the pros- j peels for a successful (lay are very bright, providing the weather- is fine. ;

It is unusual to look for Germnn blood in a Maori, but two members of a Maori contingent claim as their father an unnaturalised German (says a northern paper). The latter has lived with the Natives for many yeaTS on a large island near Auckland, where he married a Native woman.

At a meeting of the Christchurch Tramways Board on Monday last, a letter was received from the Tramways Comedy Troupe, asking for use of the tower waggon on Show Night, it being intended to hold an open-air concert in aid of the Belgium Fund. It was stated that the troupe feels that something should be done to let the general public know that the action of the Tramways Union in turning down the Belgium appeal djd not represent the feeling of all members of the service. The request was granted. "A most noticeable thing," remarked the Eev. F. E. Jeffreys at the meeting of the Auckland Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, "is the large number of men who, on being discharged, have enlisted for active service, and have 'made good.' It is fine to see men, many of whom have fallen through drink, recognise their duty to their country as soon as they have been given their liberty." Mr W. Brackenrig, probation officer, said all discharged prisoners who had volunteered had not been accepted. Notwithstanding, he knew of quite a number of men who had done well on donning khaki.

The strictness with which the Government is interpreting its rule that no chauge of surname shall be permitted during the period of the war is illustrated by the experience of an Auckland family. Not long ago a lady resilient in the district, who had children by her first marriage, entered into a second matrimonial contract. The children were legally adopted by their stepfather, and information was sought from the Internal Affairs Department as to what steps should be taken to euable them to assume their new father's name. The Minister has replied indicating emphatically that under present conditions the alteration desired cannot be made. "Not in any circumstances," he adds, "can the Government countenance the changing of a name during the war.''

If your electric light, lift, motor, telephones, bells, car-lighting and starting set, or anything else- electrical, requires attention, ring up Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., 421, who will give you the best and prompt service. 9187