NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 881, 6 December 1916, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The matron of the Cb/istchurch Hospital would be pleased to receive gifts of dolls or toys for the children's ward. An Order-in-Couneil has been gazetted, prescribing a period of three years from November 7, 1910, as a close season for seals.

The registration of the Canterbury Cycle Workers' Industrial Union of Workers, situated at Christehurch, has been cancelled.

Notification is made in the New Zealand "Gazette" that the rate of interest on sums exceeding £SO, and forming part of a war fund within the meaning of the War Funds Act, lodged in the Post Office Savings Bank by way of fixed deposit, for a period of five years, shall be 4 per cent, per annum.

A very cheerful optimist strolled into the Christehurch Area Croup Eecruiting Office a dav or two ago. He was a farmer, which fact probably accounted for his optimism. He had been drawn in I the ballot, and his method of explaining the reason for his call at the Eecruiting Office was to say, with a bright smile, "Well, my luck's in! I've drawn a section in France." A person with a perverted sense of humour gave a false alarm to the lire brigade from Waltham Road at 0.4G p.m. last evening. In consequence, the fire fighting plant in the city was reduced—a fact which might have proved serious if a genuine outbreak had occurred in the interval—while a section of the. brigade was away on its fruitless journey to Waltham. In connection with the proposed visit of Sir Ernest Shaekleton, the Lytteltou Harbour Board decided to appoint a small subcommittee, with a view to welcoming the famous explorer. After the meeting, Messrs A. Kaye and Cyrus Williams waited on the Mayor in connection with the matter, and the Mayor undertook to communicate with Sir | Ernest, asking if a civic reception would I be acceptable to him.

The Souvenir Programme for the Festival of New Zealand Music, which is to open at the Theatre Royal on Monday next, is now on sale. From it there is to be gained a fair idea not only of the objects of the festival, but also of the extent and quality of the works that are to bo produced. The programme is tastefully got up, and should be worth preserving as marking the beginning of a movement that has great possibilities. The souvenirs were on sale in the city streets to-day. In order to complete urgent works authorised some time ago, and to effect needful repairs, the Tramways Board has recently been compelled to purchase 200 tons of rails at a price much higher than usual. The rails had to be obtained from America, as the board's agents in England wired that they were not obtainable in England. As indicating the effect of war on prices of material of this character, it may be mentioned that the price in August, 1914, was £7 12/3 c.i.f Christehureh. The price of rails just purchased was £l7 18/- c.i.f, and the prices are still hardening. After the reading of the minutes at the Lyttelton Harbour Board's meeting to-day Mr Allison took exception to some erasions that had been made in the minute book, having reference to the withdrawal from the previous meeting as a motion was being declared carried. In discussing the incident, Mr Allison said that it was sharp practice. "Sharp practice on your part, Mr Allison," retorted the chairman. "I say it was on your part," came the reply. "It had been decided to postpone consideration of the question at issue, until after the war, and it was a breach of faith to bring it up aga.n." Here Mr Dougall rose to a point of order, on the score that only the minutes could be discussed. The chairman ruled Mr Allison out of order, and, as the latter sat down, he observed: "I'll say no more, then; possibly you'll hear more of the matter."

A dividing fence dispute occupied tlie attention of Mr 11. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court on Monday afternoon. The ease was one in which Emma Louisa Florence Compton (Mr Eowe) claimed from E. A. H. Archer (Mr Hunt) the sum of £5, as damages for unlawfully cutting and lopping a live fence and a tree on the premises of the plaintiff, in Worcester Street, Christchurch. Mr Eowe stated that the damages claimed were small, but a protection of property rights was asked for. Sergt. husband of the plaintiff, a public, accountant prior to enlisting, said that the property had been leased by Mrs Compton during his absence in camp. The fence in question was a macrocarpa one, and had been there for at least 15 years. The trea mentioned stood about sft inside the boundary. During his absence the defendant, who lived next door, cut the tree and fence back in such a manner as to ruin them. The defence was that the branches of the tree were about 13ft over the feuee, while the fence itself spread over the boundary line. The defendent, in evidence, said that in trimming the tree and feuej back, no trespass had been committed, as the lopping and cutting had been done from his own side of the fence. The Magistrate intimated that he would inspect the property, and would accordingly reserve his decision.

For nine years, typography classes have been in existence at the Christchurch Technical College. Each year has seen a steady improvement in the work of the classes, and the standard of instruction and achievement is now a high one. In accordance with the usual custom, a booklet containing specimens of the work of the classes during the past, year has just been issued. It is explained that, as the senior ami intermediate students have beeu occupied for the major portion of the year on the theoretical side of the trade, the specimens of printing shown in the booklet are mainly the work of the junior students. That explanation em-

phasises the high grade of achievement

for llic booklet contains many excellent —and often really charming—cover designs and advertisement displays. Each specimen is at once neat, workmanlike, and artistic. There is an outstanding idea in each, in either the colour harmonics or the shape harmonies. It is clear that the instruction of the classes is both practical and imaginative, and it is only in the proper order of things that booklets previously issued by the classes have won high praise from typographical journals in the old world. The instructor is Mr J. Petterd, chief of The Sun ’s jobbing department. It is to be noted that, despite the effect of the war on the trade, the number of students enrolled has been steadily maintained. SECOND-HAND MOTOS CYCLES. We have in Stock at present several good Motors, taken in part payment for Harley 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 Harley Davidson Motor Cvcles.

All the rivers of Canterbury were reported clear this morning. The Lyttclton Marine Baud will play ! the following programme at Sydenham J Park this evening:—March, "Hero" (Ord Hume); waltz, "Amelia" (Ortl Hume); overture, "Crown of Merit" (C. W. Bennett); comet solo, "Little Blue Flower" (H. Trotere); fantasia, "Sunny Memories" (W. Eimmer); intermezzo, "Onkel Pititche" (Paul Lincke); selection, "Martyrs" (Donizetti); quickstep, "Army and Marine" (W. Gehle).

Sergt.-Major Gregory Geake, an Aus-| tralian, has invented a bomb-thrower that can be managed easily by one man and runs to just 3/6, » s compared with j £2B, the cost of the fine Stokes gun—a j weapon that requires a crew of three | (says the "Bulletin). Geake's play-1 thing is lighter than a rifle—a mere j steel bar that can be carried in the belt j and becomes a sort of folding tripod.] The inventor has applied for heaps of patents, and his new three-and-sixpenny j notion has so far satisfied all tests. It is the first device for making war cheaper this paper has noticed lately. Geake could only better it by inventing something that would force every opposing Hun within range to pay one mark for being shot at. Considerable discussion took place at this morning's meeting of the Lyttclton j Harbour Board regarding a motion proposed by the chairman, that a member of the board's staff, who had been se-1 leeted as a motor mechanic in the Motor Petrol Eeserve, should be paid half salary during his absence and one month's salary in lieu of his holidays, which had not been taken for some time. The man had been earning £:5 2/4 a week, and received a free house, the rent of which was estimated at 14/- a week- He was to receive 5/6 a day from the authorities, 8/- allowance for his wife, and i 9/- for his children. Several members, I while expressing the opinion that the I man should suffer no financial loss, were j opposed to the principle of dealing with the question of war payments in a hapI hazard fashion,, and when a vote was j taken on an amendment that the man be I assured thathe would suffer no financial J loss, and that the details be left to the l Harbour Improvement Committee, the voting was even. On the casting vote of the chairman the motion was carried. I If your electric light, lilt, motor, telephones, bells, ear-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