NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 872, 25 November 1916, Page 2

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Telegraph Department advises that the Waimakariri North and South Rivers are clear. The Rakaia and Waitaki are dirty, the Opihi discoloured, and the Rangitata fishable. The Pacific fable Company notofles that owing to a large influx of international traffic, the acceptance of the week-end service to Great Britain has been suspended forthwith. .Messages to Canada or the United States and Expeditionary Force messages are not affected; A grand patriotic concert will be given by Mr F. C. Raphael's Concert Party hi the Masonic Hall, Papanui, on Thursday, November 30. All proceeds will be in aid of the Styx candidate (Miss Lorna Gilmourj. Mr M. IF. (iodby, a member of the Canterbury Automobile Association, who recently motored to Timaru, has kindly supplied a report on the conditions of the roads, etc., which is available at the secretary's office (Mr C. W. Ilervey). The information will be of value to motorists who intend doing the trip. Yesterday's '' Fag Day '' collection realised a total of £222 0/10 in cash ami £26 7/- in goods, an aggregate of £24s 7/10. The stock of cigarettes and tobacco iu the possession of the Lady Liverpool Fuud Committee had dwindled very low, and yesterday's effort was designed to replenish the stock. The response is regarded as highly satisfactory. Displayed in the window of Messrs Pearce and Co., of Methven, is a small portion of the Zeppelin which was brought down by Flight Lieut. Smith, D.S.O. The relic was secured by- Trooper P. Manion, who was in hospital in London at the time. In a letter to his mother, he gives a most graphic description of the crowds who witnessed the fall. Shown with the souvenir is a photo of Lieut. Smith. • Cable advice has been received from London by Base Records:—"lnform Mrs Morris, Taranaki, that Private T. H. Morris, 6th Wiltshire Regiment, was killed in action on November 2." The above address is incomplete, and all efforts to obtain a fuller address have failed. The Director of Base Records will be glad if anyone knowing the full address of Mrs Morris will communicate with him. The usual weekly parade of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was held on Wednesday, when the Boy Scouts of the Avonside Troop were present for instruction in first aid and stretcher drill. The instruction, which is given every Wednesday, was conducted by members of the brigade, under Corporal A. We9t. Afterwards the brigade and the Scouts were inspected by Corps Superintendent Ritchie. Pamphlets are now being circulated calling attention to the Lyons Fair, to be held from March 1 to 15, 1917. The principal aim of the Lyons Fair is to replace that of Leipzig, which was the nmual reunion of all the great German manufactories and those from other countries. By means of the Lyons Fair it will be eas}' for those, who formerly bought in Germany and Austria, to find manufacturers in France and in the allied countries. The Lyons Fair is not an exhibition. It consists of real shops and showrooms, and uncommercial visitors and sightseers do not enter the stands. The fair of 1916 attracted unexpectedly wide attention, and next year's fair, it is hoped, will surpass it. A man who recently presented himself for enlistment in Group 5 (Wellington City and Suburbs) set an example !o the laggards. When the war began he was a reservist of the Navy, and he responded to the mobilisation call at once, lie was drafted to a warship at Tilbury on August 7, 1014. Four months later he took part in the Falkland Islands battle, as a member of the crew of the light cruiser Glasgow. He played his part in the destruction of Admiral von Spee's cruiser squadron, and in the course of the engagement received a wound, which necessitated the removal of his left eye. After a period in hospital he was discharged with a pension. But he has discovered now that a man with a sound right eye is eligible for -erviee, and so has enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was offered a Home Service appointment. but insisted that he would prefer to "have another smack at the Germans'' at close quarters. He has passed the doctors, and will enter camp at the first opportunity.

In connection with the Rose Fete, to be held next Saturday, Mr 8. Anstey, of the Antigua Boat Sheds has kindiy pla.'ed his fleet of boats and canoes, and the assistance of his staff, at the disposal of the committee. Mr Toung, curator of the Gardens, is arranging a lauding stage for the boats near the tea kiosk bridge, and the members of the C.D.C. are undertaking the superintendence of the boats during the afternoon. The Red Cro=> Garden Fete, which is to be held at "Baronscourt," Upper Biccarton, on December 9, promises to be a great success. The Tramwavs Board has generously undertaken to "illuminate electrically Mr T. Kincaid's grounds, and it is anticipated that this, combined with the chaming grounds and various stalls, will produce a verv prettv effect. Given fine weather, patrons are assured of a good afternoon and evening's enjoyment. There will be amusements for both young and old, also a number of stalls open for business. Home -made cakes, sweets, and dainties, eggs, butter, vegetables, hams, fresh meat, poultry, dolls, Christmas tovs, (lowers, etc., will be on sale. The opening ceremony will take place at 230 p.m. Toilers from the city, when letnrning to their homes in the vieinitr of the junction of Durham Street with Bealey Avenue, were startled last evening bv what appeared to be a "tank" poised sideways, at an angle of about 45deg., towards the footpath. Investigation showed that the supposed monster of modern destruction was simplv an innocent steam roller that had broken through the crust of the road into a wash-out near the curb, and was held fast in a .'.ft embrace of metal and mud. The work of getting the roller on to a running surface was superintended this morning by hundreds of children and dozens of "engineers," who were free with advice and economic of assistance. Eventually, with the help of another tractor a few screw-jacks, some planks, and a wire rope, the imprisoned engine was set at liberty, and proceeded to iti day's rolling.