LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 938, 12 February 1917, Page 11

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Specimens of red grouse, heron v partridge, and black teal which were, recently donated to the Christchurch Museum, have now been prepared and set up, and forrh an interesting addition to the bird section.

One of the members of the Board of Trade will be in Christchurch: to-mor-row, and can be interviewed at the Government Buildings, Worcester Street, in connection with the gazetted prices of wheat and Hour. The declaration of the ballot which was held last week is being awaited with intense interest. It Was expected that the list would be available today for publication, but it did not come to hand, ami there is no information available as to when it will be published. '' I earn £2 2/- a week, have 10 children, and have had a lot of bad luck," was the plea of Frederick Seclen, summonsed at the Magistrate's Court this morning by George Mark Davis for arrears of rent. Plaintiff also asked for possession. "A little while ago 1 broke my finger; then my wife fell down and broke her arm in two places. She was hardly well when 1 crushed and broke my big toe." There were 12 mouths to feed out of his wages, with the possibility of another in a day or two. The case was adjourned for four weeks, on condition that defendant paid the current rent. It is seldom that a missing juror is represented by counsel, but such a case occurred in the Supreme Court to-day, when ilr Twyneham appeared for J. W. McCros'tie, a juror who did not attend. Counsel said he had .been asked by wire to appear for the juror and ask for leniency. He was connected with a new coal mine on the. West Coast, and counsel understood he had gone to the Coast for the purpose of purchasing machinery. His Honour fined the juror 40/- in the meantime, j stating that he could come and tell the Court about it later. If he made out a decent case the fine would perhaps be remitted.

I It was urged, ou behalf of a juryman ■in the Supreme : Court- this morning, that he should tie excused because lie was an accountant in a solicitor's office. Mr M. J. Gresson said the juror was employed in the office of his firm, and it was probable that, being connected with a legal firm, lie would be challenged. "Why?" asked his Honour; "why "should lie be?" "From the Crown's point of view; you never know," said Mr Gresson; "the solicitor's office might at some time have been connected with the case." His Honour said he had nothing to do with that. If the juror was competent he could see no reason why he should not serve. Mr Gresson: "He will be challenged." His Honour: "I cannot understand any such suggestion that, because lie is an accountant in a solicitor's office . You need not trouble me further with that ground." As Mr Gresson hart no other ground, his Honour said the juror must serve in the meantime. Later, if he were challenged, the matter could be considered again. Sugar.—The price of sugar is now increased by one farthing per lb, and is now 3d per lb, or 16/3 per bag. John Hall and Co., Ltd. .6