NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1198, 13 December 1917, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

All the rivers of Canterbury were reported clear this morning, with the exception of the Opihi, which was dirty. The total subscriptions to the "Our Day" appeal now stands at £18,580. This includes a donation of £1250 from the Bank of New Zealand.

The official figures show that the imports for the Dominion for the ten- months ended October 31, 1917. were valued at £16,751,000, as compared with £21.954,485 for the corresponding period of 1916. The big decline confirms the Minister of Finance's anticipation of a reduction in Customs revenue during the current financial year.

The Lyttelton Marine Band will play the following programme in the Victoria Square rotunda this evening:—March, "Major v. Minor" (Southwal); waltz, "Idle Hours" (Rimmer); overture, "Lustspiel" (Kela Bela); entr'acte, "Dream Thoughts" (Piequard); selec-

tion, "Melodious Revue" (Rimmer < round dance. "La Gavola" (Pether) fantasia, "Albion" (Seddon); quick step, "Follow the Drums" (Shutter).

At the monthly meeting of the committee of the S.P.C.A., Professor Blunt sent in a report on the essay competition on "Kindness to Animals." This trill be read, together with the best of the prize essavs, at an evening to be held in the Y.if.OA. Concert Hall, on December 18, when the prizes will be given. Mr J. H. Howell, director of the Technical Sehooi. will also give an address, ard Miss Lucy Cowan will give musical items a"hd recitations.

The Easi. Belt Wesley Troop of Boy Scouts gave a very successful display and entertainment last evening in the Wesley Schoolroom, in aid of the fund for their camp expenses, somewhat over £5 being realised. The programme comprised a camp scene, exhibition of first aid, boxing, songs and recitations, character sketches, conjuring and a musical monologue. During the interval Leader McKinney and Corporal Sherris were presented with medals for ticket-selling.

The lantern lecture on Jerusalem, to be given by the Rev. E. P. Blamires at the Y.M.C.A. to-night is particularly timely, in view of the fall of the Holy City into British hands a few days ago. Splendid views of the city, Jaffa, Bethlehem, and other Palestinian towns will be screened, as well as some pictures showing the nature of the country over 'which our troops have just been fight'ing. Mr Blamires speaks from firsthand knowledge, having travelled in the Holy Land some years ago. The .lecture affords the public an opportunity of a personally conducted tour through Palestine, for. the small sum of one shilling. To add to the entertainment of the evening appropriate musical items will be rendered by Misses Woods, Lissack, and Stringer, and Mr J. H. Cocks. The proceeds will be distributed to New Zealand soldier* through the Y.M.C.A. Trench Comforts Fund. The vexed question of sol ".iers civilian suits was before the Wellington War Relief "Association yesterday. The association has been receiving applications for suits from discharged soldiers, who have money in han !. but who do not think that they ought to be required to buy their own suits after discharge. They have received the Dofence Department's allowance of •'"'-, and then have been referred, in many cases, to tiif association. But if the association undertook to pay, say. £4 for clothes to each discharged soldier, tlie amount of money available for grants to dependents and disabled soldiers would decrease very rapidly. It was decided that the executive must deal with cases on their merits. A hint was given that the Coverunient might presently make up it< mind to substitute a civilian suit for one of the uniforms now given to a returned soldier on his arrhiil in Xen Zealand. MOTOR REPAIRS. Motorists, —You will save both tim<» and expense by bringing your Motor Repairs to us. We have the most complete Factory in New Zealand. All work done by Expert Motor Mechanics, enabling us to Cuaran.ee Satisfaction and Promptness. We solicit your supit.rt. —Jones Bros.. Ltd., Manchester and Lichfield Sire • .3