NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2024, 10 August 1920, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The, Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. notify: "Divert all traffic for United Kingdom to via Pacific for present." Eater advice received from 'Wellington states: "Resume full rates to United Kingdom via Eastern.'' Advice has been received by Mr C. W. Hervey, secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association, that the Selwyn River is in flood, and therefore uufordable. The Monowai is due at Lyttelton this afternoon with 200 tons of sugar, about half of which is for the general trade. The arrival of this consignment will relieve the position considerably, but future prospects are uncertain. At a meeting of the Nelson Band Con-i test Committee the following prizes were allocated: —A Grade —First £2OO, second £IOO, third £SO. B Grade—First £IOO,, second £3O, third £2O. Quickstep—First £3O, second £ls, third £lO. The contestcommences on March 14. For the period ended August 7, the Government Wheat Controller (Mr W. G. McDonald) has issued a return, showing that 4,284,310 bushels of wheat have been threshed. There have been contracts to purchase 3,464,356 bushels of good milling wheat and 71,220 bushels of fowl wheat. The amount paid to farmers through Government brokers is £1,373,130. 18/5, representing 3,460,789 bushels. A meeting of sheep-shearing contractors has fixed the. rate for shearing with portable travelling outfits at £2 10/- per 100 for the coming season. This is an advance of 5/- per 100 on last year's rate to cover increased cost of benzine ami all machine-shearing requisites. The meeting represented over 50 contract outfits operating in Canterbury, and the aggregate number of sheep shorn in this way will be close on the half million for the season.

Speaking at last night's special meeting of the Christehureh City Council on the subject of finance, the Mayor of Christehureh (Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P.) pointed out that the council had spent over £3OOO in connection with the Lake Coleridge power scheme, and the Government had absorbed the amount, and practically made the city its tenants as regards Lake Coleridge. He would like to see an effort made to recover the sum from the Government. The Christehureh Musical Society's concert takes place to-night, in the Choral Hall. Notwithstanding the fact that the concert will be repeated on Saturday, the booking is very heavy, and patrons would be well advised by reserving their seats early to-day at Milner and Thompson's. At the final rehearsal last night, the soloists, Miss O'Connor and Messrs Blakeley and Marsh, gave a fine interpretation of their various solos, the greatly increased chorus and orchestra did excellent work, and the harp accompaniment by Mr Glaysher (late of the Royal Artillery Band) put the finishing touch on what promises to be a very fine programme.

James White, a seaman <m the coastal steamer Htiia, was charged before Mr F. G. Norton, J.P., at the Lyttclton Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon with stealing a quantity of soap valued at 3/-, the property of A. Rhind and Co. The accused was remanded to appear before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., tomorrow. A public exhibition of "stunt" flying was given at the Soekburn airdrome yes- 1 terday afternoon by Messrs Euan Dick-, son anil B. W. Gray. The pilots, who both used Avro machines, went through practically the whole catalogue of aerial acrobatics —looping the loop, nose-diving, l side-slipping, and imitating a falling leaf. Mr Ralph Stringer went up as a passen-i ger with Mr Dickson, and Mr George Rhodes with Mr Gray. A number of ordinary flights were made in the course of the afternoon, amongst those who went up being Mr A. Markman, a member of the Air Board. A GREAT PERFORMANCE. Loud cheers greeted R. L. Kennett at the annual meeting of the Pioneer Sports Club on Saturday night, duly 31, when he was presented with the Bonnington Cup and gold medal for most points registered during the season's competitions. He was easily the biggest prize-winner. Riding in every case a Harley-David-son motorcycle, he won four New Brighton Beach events, securing also fastest time in each case, and he also secured first prize in the Akaroa Reliability Trials, hjM on December 16, the Big Tree Cup and special prize for best performance of private owner. It only proves again how a good rider, mounted on a wonderful machine, can become invincible. Call and inspect the Harley-Davidson. ' JONES BROS., The Clock Tower. .11