NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 956, 5 March 1917, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF.

All iiio rivers of Canterbury were reported clear this morning. James Sinclair, sen., appeared beforo Mr L. A. Stringer, J.l'., at the Lyttel ton Magistrate's Court, l!ii:-< morning, charged, on the information of Detective Quarterinain, with indecent assault on a female. The case was remanded until March 12, bail being allowed in prisoner's owu recognisance of £IOO and one surety of £IOO. TRe commission which inquired into petitions from ratepayers in the Heath: cote County for, in one case incorporation in the city, and in the other, the formation of a new Bromley Borough, expects to draw up its report early this week. Its recommendations, however, will not then bo available for publication, but will first be forwarded to the Minister of lutcrual Affairs.

A foretaste of winter was oxperienecd in Christehureh this morning, the d:iy breaking very cold and threatening from the south-west. At about 10.110 o'clock a heavy shower passed over the city and rain came down in torrents, but later slackened off, the morning remaining cold and showery throughout. Although colder than could be wished, the rain is opportune to both the city gardens and the farmers —doubly so to the latter now that his harvest is safely in the slack.

Eeferi'iug to the mishap to the Mararoa, Dr Thacker pointed-out that while there were only five lights on 280 miles of coast line stretching between the Three Kings and Auckland, 150 miles of far less dangerous coast in America, between Vancouver and Victoria, "had no fewer than fiO lights. He regarded this as an indication of the extreme backwardness of the New Zealand Marine Department. '' They need shaking up," added the Doctor. A public meeting was held in the Akaroa Borough Council Chambers on Thursday last, when it was decided to hold a carnival for patriotic purposes at Wainui on Saturday, April 7. Very complete arrangements were made for the function, a general committee being as follows:—Messrs Armstrong, Bruce, Hall, Henry, and Lelievre, and the Bevs. Hayward and Julius. In addition, various committees were appointed in connection with the management of the various stalls.

The "VVoolstou Band will play the following programme on Woolston Domain next Tuesday evening, March G, at 8 o'clock:—March, "The Vikings" (Collins); selection, "The Bohemian Girl" (Balfe); cornet solo, "A Perfect Day" (Carrie Bond), soloist Mr C. Dunn; overture, "Souvenir de Busse" (Bimmer); euphonium solo, "Neptune" (Stanley Cordon); selection, "William Tell" (Bossini); trombone solo, "Let me like a Soldier fall" (Wallace); march, "The Victors' Beturn" (Bimmer). Dr Thacker, M.P., has received a communication from the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, drawing his attention to the action of the Government in reducing carpenters' wages from 11/6 to 11/- per day. The letter explained that although the men were getting a war bonus of 1/- per day the actual effect of the reduction in wages was that the men were deprived of the full benefit of the bonus. In conversation with a Sun representative, Dr Thacker expressed his indignation at the Government's action, and indicated that he was making strong representations in the matter.

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