NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 864, 16 November 1916, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The total takings at the gates and stands at the Metropolitan Show, including the railway, amounted to £1531 2/9, against £1557 'l9/2 last year. A Pahiatua telegram states that Robt. Burns, eoaehdriver, was fined £lO and costs (£8) for selling liquor in the nolicense district of Pongaroa.

In connection with the Red Cross evening given by Mr Harry Stewart, of Middleton, recently, the following additional sums have been received, making a total of £.">7:—G. Adams £l, Arthur Wright £I,?R. Rugg £l, 11. Woods £l. Sittings of the Conciliation Council have been fixed as follows: —November 28, chemists; November 30, rotary machinists; December 4, general labourers; December 5, typographical workers; December 1.1, brashiuakers. The Commissioner will be out of town from November 21 to 27, and from December (i to 11.

It is reported from Nelson that that district will soon have a million cases of fruit to dispose of per season. At a recent meeting of those interested in the industry a speaker emphasised the need of direct shipment, and of motor traction or railway facilities to tap the fruit-growing districts, and enable the fruit toibe efficiently handled. To-night, at 8 o'clock, in the Art Gallery, Mrs Miekle will give an account of "Russia and the Russians." from personal experience gained during several years' residence and subsequent visits to the country of our great ally. The whole of the proceeds are for the benefit of the Red Cross and Lady Liverpool Funds. Russian musical items will be by Mrs Myra Young. Some time ago the employers in the engineering industry conceded a war bonus of '.)/- per week to all their employees. The agreement was fixed for a period -of six months, and has now expired, but a proposal has been put forward by the union for its extension and continuance. The employers will shortly hold a meeting to consider the matter.

At last evening's meeting of the General Committee of the St. John Ambulance Association, the financial statement, which /was adopted, showed a credit balance of &!77-6/4. The secretary stated that he had written to St. John's Gate, stating that it was considered that 12 months between the first aid examination and that for the medallion was too long. The letter suggested the reduction of the interval to nine months. A reply had been ' received, stating that the prese/ibed period could not be altered. The following note appears hi Trentham camp orders: —"The Commandant desires to record his approbation and high appreciation of the action of Private F. Lloyd, F Company, 19th Reinforcement, who pluckily, without hesitation and regardless of the risk he himself was incurring, dived to the rescue of Private L. Pickering, who was exhausted, having been overcome by the strong current, and successfully brought him to safety. Private Pickering's life was saved by this plucky action, and the Commandant is bringing the incident, which occurred at 2.1;") p.m. on November 10, before the Royal Humane Soeietv.

A Christehurch citizen, 35 years of age, with business experience, who enlisted, but was rejected because of a slight deafness, is anxious to show his patriotism in another way. IPe is willing to undertake any work that will liberate some other man for service to the Empire. The Mayor, who mentioned the matter, states that, both physically and mentally, the gentleman in question is very capable, and he (the Mayor) would be glad to know of anywilling to avail himself of the offer.

The monthly meeting of the Rakaia branch of the W.C.T.U. was held in the Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon, the president, Mrs Boag, being in the chair. Samples of books and pamphlets were on view, accompanied by a letter from Mrs Neil. The matters of selecting and ordering were left to Mrs Boag. Mrs Liddington was appointed to supervise the distribution■ of literature. Miss Traverser wrote, acknowledging the report of the branch, which had been sent to her, and enclosing an invitation to" members to attend a garden party in Ashburton. Two new members were admitted.

Under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association, Mr E. M. Laing gave a lecture last night at the Riecarton Town Hall, the subject being "The Lyttelton Hills: A Nature Study." In his address Mr Laing dealt interestingly with the geological history of the hills, saying that they belonged to the great system of volcanic peaks that girdles the Pacific, from Erebus and Terror in the Antarctic north to the Behring Sea, and from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Mr Laing also made brief reference to the flora and insect life of the hills, the lecture being illustrated by local and foreign lantern slides, Mr Laing was accorded a vote of thanks for his address, and on Saturday he will take a party of students to the hi'ls<i«to more fully explain his remarks.

After The Sun went to press yesterday further evidence was heard, at considerate length, against Edward Atherton De Houghton Be Latour at the Magistrate's Court, before Messrs \V. W. Collins and W. If. Cooper, J.P.'s. The charge was thai, of an indecent assault against a boy. Mr M. Donnelly represented the accused, and Chief-Detective Herbert conducted the case for the prosecution. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Suprelne Court for sentence. Mr Donnelly made the following personal explanation: I must say, your Worships, that when instructed, I had no idea of the character or nature of the evidence. As I cannot see that I can do any possible good by continuing to represent the accused, I will therefore withdraw from the ease. Bail was not applied for. The accused, on two further charges to-day, pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence.

SECOND-HAND MOTOR CYCLES. We have in. Stock at present several good Motors, taken in part payment for Harlcy Davidsons, which we' are prepared to sell at reasonable prices for quick sale. Call and inspect, or write for full particulars.—JONES BEOS.. Ltd., 122 Manchester Street. Sole Agents for King Dick and Bailey Davidson Motor Cycles.