LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 827, 4 October 1916, Page 10

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The river report states that the Waimakariri North, Waimakariri South, Rakaia, Bangitata, Opihi, and Waitaki are clear.

Tlie question of celebrating Labour Pay was discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury Trailes and Labour Council on Saturday evening. Owing to the large casualty lists now appearing in the papers, it was decided to abandon the usual picnic. Mr Job Osborne, of Fendalton, formerly of Doyleston, has generously offered to defray the cost of a parcel of Christmas gifts for each member of the congregation of the Leeston Methodist Church now on active service, and the postage to France or wherever the soldiers may be.

A public meeting, convened by Messrs W. Parkinson (president of the Sheepowners' Union) anil G. D. Greenwood, was held this afternoon to consider matters in connection with the commandeering of meat by the Imperial authorities. The question has been discussed for some time past by the various branches of the Farmers' Union and other bodies. The 32nd annual festival of the Christchurch Diocesan Choral Association will take place to-morrow (Thursday) in the Cathedral at :i and 7 o'clock. The service will bo full choral evensong, and the anthem, "The Lord is Loving Tnto Every Man" (Garrett). The Rev. G. S. Bryan-Brown will preach at the evening service.

The United Federation of Labour wrote recently to the Government, drawing attention to a reported large influx of Hindoos into New Zealand, ami asserting that they were taking the places of men on active service with the forces. The Department of Internal Affairs has replied asking for further particulars. Last week Mr H. Hunter, president of the United Federation of Labour, wrote to the Hon. A. L. Herd man, protesting against the fine of £SO imposed on G. S. Thompson for refusing to allow a military service notice to lie posted in his window, and requesting that the amount should be reduced. Mr Hunter has now received a reply from the Minister, stating that the letter has been handed over to the Hon. R. McNab, Minister of Justice.

The soldiers in the Queen Mary Hos pital at Hanmer are keen ou getting a good baud together, but, although they have a number of good musicians amongst them, they have not the requisite instruments. The Citizens' De fence Corps is interesting itself in the matter. It has received a piccolo from Mr E. F. Scott, and it hopes that this will prove to be only the first of many similar donations for the invalided soldiers at Hanmer. At the last annual conference of the United Federation of Labour, a remit was received from the Christchurch Furniture Trades Union, urging that consideration should be given to the question of co-operation as a means to benefiting the workers. The subject was referred to the National Executive of the Federation, which has now written to the union, stating that it has the matter iu hand, and asking for information that will assist the executive iu its deliberations.

A new port in Foveaux Strait will shortly be opened at Mussel Beach (states the "Bluff Press"), where au Australian firm proposes to expend £25,C/00. A township of 25 houses will be built, and also a wharf. The syndicate owns two steamers, and will take a hand iu the timber industry. The country round about Mussel Beach is heavily timbered, and forms one of the finest stretches of natural, uncut forest in New Zealand. The Hump (HOOOft) is beautifully wooded with silver birch, and the beautiful, little known Lakes Hauroto, Poteriteri and Monowai lie inland. The leaders of the new settlement were iu Bluff a few days ago. The fair which is being conducted by the city corps of the Salvation Army w r as opened last night byMajor Newby, Divisional Commander. The Citadel was nicely decorated, and the business done was brisk. A pleasing musical programme was contributed by the Liuwood Choristers, whose efforts were received with much applause. The Fair, which has for its purpose the augmenting of the Self-denial Fund, will be continued this and to-morrow evenings. Tonight a musical programme will be rendered by the Sydenham Songsters. During last night's proceedings Brother Price, one of the oldest soldiers in the Christchurch Corps, made his farewell, prior to leaving for the Nelson district.