NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 938, 12 February 1917, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Today'a river report states that all the rivers are clear except the Opihi, which is fishable. The Arbitration Court has filed its award concerning the application of the Canterbury Maltsters and Brewers' Union for an increase of the war bonus of 5/- now being paid to 10/-. The court's award increases the bonus from 5/- to 6/- per week, as offered by the employers. Judgment was given this morning by Messrs J. IT. Seager and 11. J. Crowther, J.P's, in the case in which A. Hart, horse trainer, of Sockburn (Mr Mosley) sued C. Christie, horse trainer, of Dunedin, for £5, being alleged balance of account, for board and hire of horse boxes during the New Zealand Cup meeting. Mr Cassidy, who appeared for the defendant, applied for a further adjournment to enable a Dunedin witness to give evidence, but the application was refused. .Judgment was given for the plaintiff for 12/- and costs.

It seems probable that the late Dr McNab left no will, as search since his death has failed to reveal one. Should no document be discovered the estate will pass, in pursuance of law, into tho hands of the Public Trustee for administration, and it is understood that the Public Trust Office already has the late Minister's affairs in hand. The operation of the law in regard to intestate estates will preclude any possibility of public benefaction, but Dr McNab had apparently anticipated this, for he made over the whole of his valuable collection of books on New Zealand to the city of Dunedin. The weekly parade of the Avonside troop was held last night. Whether at work or play, the members of this troop are very enthusiastic, and from the Scoutmaster down to the youngest recruit they are one and all determined that the Avonside troop will be as good as any in the Dominion. As is usual with all Scout troops at this time of the year, this troop has lost some real hard workers, included amongst the number being Sergeant-Major Inglis, sou of Dr Inglis, and Sergeant Ealph Chaffey, son of Colonel R. A. Chaffey. In connection with the combined troop parade, to be held on Saturday, February 17, for inspection by Colonel B. A. Chaffey, a special parade of the troop is called for Friday night at 7.15 to receive final instructions regarding the operations which are to take place at Hagley Park at the close of the inspection. On Saturday, February 21, six of the lads are going up to pass their Tenderfoot test.

In view of the straitened position of the finances of New Brighton Borough, and influenced by the opinion that the community should not be divided on local issues during the war, Messrs W. H. Graham, R. T. Lees, Armstrong, and Frank Thompson have decided to consult the borough's four Burgesses' Associations regarding the possibility of avoiding the Mayoral and Council elections. On Saturday they met the North Brighton Burgesses' Association. The deputation, after explaining that it was not acting in the interests of any party, but simply as a group of ratepayers desirous that no party feeling should be aroused in war time, suggested that the various parties should meet in conference and select representative councillors and thus do away with an election. It was also pointed out that such a course would save the borough £7O. The meeting unanimously endorsed these views, and decided to ask the executives of the Central Brighton and South Brighton Burgesses' Associations and the New Brighton Progress League to meet on Wednesday evening in the Pier Hall to discuss the matter.

The annual meeting of the Veterans' Association of Army, Navy, and Auxiliary Forces was held on Saturday evening, the president, Lieutenant-Colonel F. B. Cresswell, V.D., presiding. The annual report and balance-sheet showed the association to be in a good financial position during the year. It stated that the association was represented at the front by over 40 members, all of whom had seen service before. An honours board has been presented to the association by Mr J. Timbrell, and this will be unveiled shortly. The following officers were elected for the coming year:—Patron, his Excellency the Earl of Liverpool; vice-patrons, Colonel R. A. Chaffey, Commanding the Canterbury Military District, Colonel If. Slater, V.D., and Lieutenant-Colonel F. B. Cresswell; president, Mr David Lee; vice-presidents, Lieutenant C. E. Gwatkin, Mr W. J. Ellison, Mr 0. N. Crosswell, Mr K. Eastwood, and Mr H. Macintosh; secretary, Mr .1. Timbrell; hon. treasurer, Mr fl. Macintosh; chaplain, Major A. H. Norris; auditors, Messrs E. Burns and J. Cole. The matter of making further collections for the Veterans' Home Fund was left to the new committee.

An interesting description of a first j flight at the front is given by Private F. Thompson, in a letter to his father,! Mr A. 11. Thompson, carshed foreman for the Christchurch tramways. Private Thompson says: —"I got in, put a spare helmet on, and after the mechanic had started the engine we set off. travelling over the ground at a slow speed to enable the pilot to choose a good starting ground. We reached the top of a gentle slope, and away we went in real, earnest, attaining a speed of fully 30 : miles per hour in 250 yards before we lifted. Just as we celared the ground came the first thrill, as the speed was j immediately increased. The ground seeined to bo moving backwards under our feet as well as drawing away. Then up into the mist we went, and once there we appeared to slacken speed —we really did not —though the 'plane seemed to be merely travelling at one mile an hour. The gauge registered 40 miles an hour. We were by this time above a bank of mist which blanketed the ground, so we steered to the aerodrome by the compass. Flying, once one isup, is a most ordinary sensation. We came within sight of the ground again about eight minutes later, the hangers being below us. Then came the second thrill. We tipped the nose of the 'plane downwards, causing a sensation much worse than what one gets when a ship begins to settle down at the beginning of a nose-dip in a rough sea. It was quite momentary, however, and we glided, down after reducing the engine speed, hitting tin 1 ground without even a bump, and skidded along towards the hangars."