NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 885, 11 December 1916, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

All the rivers of Canterbury wore reported clear this morning. The Customs Department at Christehureh lias reVeived telegraphic instruction from its head oflicc that m> more wool is to be shipped anywhere without the authority of the Minister in charge of the Imperial Supply Branch. The proceedings at the Magistrate's Court for the hearing of police eases occupied less than a minute this morning, a first offender for drunkenness being the only person named on the list. He did not appear, a fine of 5/- being imposed in his absence by the Magistrate, Mr 11. W. Bishop. *

The Spreydon Bandage Rolling Class held an art exhibition, concert, and dance in the Coronation Hall on Saturday afternoon and evening. The oil paintings on exhibition were very ere ditable to the artists, Mrs Bingham and her pupils. Some very good it"tns were rendered at the concert, after which a dance was held. The proceeds amounting to £10 ; were to buy material for bandages for wounded soldiers.

The Christ-church Canary and Cage Bird Club held a show for unrlighted ! Norwich canaries in the clubroom on! Wednesday, December C. The following! were the results: —Yellow Clear: G. Fisher 1 and 3, W. H. Lnndells .2. Yel- ! low Variegated: W. H. Landells I and 2, i G. Fisher 3. Buff Clear: W. H. Lan- ' dells 1, 2, and special, G. Fisher 3. Buff Variegated: G. 11. Watson 1 and special, W. H. Landells 2, G. H. Watson 3. Mr H. Beardsley was the judge.

Orchardists and others interested in fruit culture held a most successful "field day" in the orchard of Mr G. W. Anderson, Papanui, on Saturday. About 60 people were present, Mr W. J. Courtier, Government Orchard Instructor, being in charge. Various matters of interest were explained, and an exhbiition of power spraying was given. Mr P. Freebury, the inventor of a patent frost indicator and alarm, was introduced. He explained the mechanism of his invention, and answered several questions. The party were hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Anderson at afternoon tea.

Kindergarten Day, which the Kindergarten Association are holding at the Art Gallery during the afternoon of Wednesday next, promises to be a great success. A large number of seats have been reserved, and the sale of 1/tickets has been very gratifying. Afternoon tea will be served to those who wish, for a charge of sixpence. Her Excellency will arrive at 2..'50, and from then until 3 p.m. there will "be an exhibition of the methods of Dr Montessori. There will be a produce, work, sweet, and flower stall, also a stall of Christchurch made toys, which should prove very interesting. Atmospheric conditions to-day were not conducive to an excessive display of physical exertion and vigour, as possibly two counsel who were engaged in a case at the Magistrate's Court will testify. There were two huge, bulky and dusty motor tyre covers, about which many expert witnesses were called upon to testify. The necessary handling of these articles was made by the aforesaid counsel, who, iu addition to being from time: to time required to hold the exhibits up while a lengthy and minute inspection was being made by the particular witness, were often compelled to stagger forward under the weighty objects for their examination by the Magistrate. The conclusion of the case saw two heated, perspiring and dusty gentlemen of the legal profession in almost a state of physical collapse.

A deputation of employees recently waited on the Mayor of Bicearton (Mr J. Brown), and urged the claims of municipal employees to a share in the advantages of a superannuation scheme, similar to that now in force in the public service. Mr Witty, Mr Ell, and Mr McCombs, M.P.'s, attended, and Mi- Witty urged the claims of casual workers to consideration. Mr McCombs mentioned that a number of employees of the Christchurch City Council were over 70 years of age. Mr Ell said that the only sane solution was a combination of all public bodies, municipal, county council and drainage, into one group. On his motion it was agreed that the deputation should resolve itself into a committee, with the object of arranging a larger and more representative meeting of the various public bodies and their staffs.

A very irate motorist, with a limp and a bruise for which his word had to be taken, left his motor cycle outside the Sun office to-day, in order that he .might ascend painfully and tell his tale of woe. It appears that he was sailing gaily along a good road, on a certain line afternoon, with nothing but visions of home and an approaching traction engine to disturb the equanimity of his cycling enthusiasm. Suddenly, from the trucks drawn by the engine, there darted out several children, who had been enjoying the pastime of "hanging on" (a pursuit which is not altogether a child's perquisite). To avoid having the stigma of a baby killer being thrust upon him he swerved —and bumped into a telegraph pole. As he gathered the scattered remains of his machine, he nursed his knee and wondered whether it would not have been better to have become a martyr to parents' indignation than to have smashed his cycle. His chief mission up the stairs of The Sun office was to say that if children coming out of school continue to assist themselves homeward by hanging on to the tails of carts, buggies, and traction engine wagons, somebody is certain to be killed—and it won't be the motorist or the motor cyclist who thinks the wav is clear.

An adjourned meeting*of creditors in the bankrupt estate of John Heinrich Walker, bootmaker, of Christchurch, was held at Napier last Friday. As several of the creditors belong to Napier, the meeting had been adjourned there from Christchurch. The bankrupt was examined at considerable length by the solicitor for one of the creditors, with a view to ascertaining how he had disposed of the money with which he had originally left Napier, lie accounted for all this money with the exception of El2O, an amount which, he said, had probably been useij in shifting to Christchurch. lie denied that, before he left Napier, he had shown someone a bundle of two or three hundred notes, lie did not advise any of his creditors of his intention to leave Napier. He had left because people would not patronise him on account of his German nationality. It was decided that bankrupt be submitted to a public examination at Christchurch.

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