NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1588, 17 March 1919, Page 2

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Waimakariri, Opihi and Waitaki rivers are reported clear to-day; the Rangitata and Rakaia are dirty. On Saturday evening the combined churches of New Brighton held an openair service in front of the pier, the Rev. J. Paterson, assisted by tile Revs. H. Mathias and W. Walker, giving an address on the liquor traffic. "Labour and the Liquor Referendum" will be the subject of addresses to be delivered by Mr J. AlcCombs, M.P., at the Rangiora Institute to-night and at the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, tomorrow night. The Mayors of Rangiora and Kaiapoi respectively will preside. Before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning two male first offenders for drunkenness were each fined 5/-, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Fines of 20/-, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, were imposed on two female statutory first offenders who had lengthy records.

Dr H. T. J. Thaeker, M.P., and Mr G. Witty, M.P., have lately been in communication with the Minister of Public Works with reference to the delay in building the extension to the telephone exchange in Hereford Street The Minister referred them to the Public Works Department, Wellington, which department again referred them to the department in Christchurch. Here they were advised to inquire of the acting-Postmaster-General, the Hon. W. D. S. MaeDonald. The following reply has now been received: " . . . lam making inquiries into this matter, and shall be pleased to communicate with you at an early date." A Press Association telegram- from Taumarunui states that the freeholding of the town is a burning question botli there and at Te Kuiti. Judge MacCormack in advising the Natives to sell the whole township to the Government, said that the rents were so small that the money was absorbed by, taxes, rates.and other expenses, and for the remaining ten years of the first term of leases the Xatives would be losing money instead of having an income. The Government valuation of the Natives' interest in the unimproved value in 1917 was £70,000 for the whole town, but the Government would have to allow for loss in the difference between the rents and the interest on capital invested, and would probably not pay the full Government valuation. If the Natives got anything like £70,000 to invest they would be in a good position. The Government need not pay out in cash. The Native Land Board would doubtless accept 4§ per cent bonds on behalf of the Natives and this would prevent them from wasting the capital. NOTICE TO MOTORISTS. WE'RE OFF! WIDE OPEN I Large shipments of the Military Model Harley-Davidson Motor Cycle have reached New Zealand, after an absence of 12 months. Now is your chance to secure one of these famous motors. The motor cycle everyone is talking about. Trials arranged. Catalogues free. Sole New Zealand Agents, JONES BROS., LTD., Manchester and Lichfield Streets. .1