NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2125, 6 December 1920, Page 4

NEWS IN BRIEF.

To-day's river report stated that the Bakaia, Waimakariri (both branches), and Opihi were clear, the Eangitata fishable, and the Waitaki dirty. The weather was dull everywhere. A fire broke out about 6.45 p.m. on Saturday in a single-story wooden shed behind the premises of Messrs Toomey and Goodman, brassfounders, 287 St. Asaph Street. Part of the shed was used by Messrs Toomey and Goodman as a workshop, and part by Mr O. Sandilen, electrician, as a store. The fire brigade was able to put out the fire before much harm had been done to the building, but a quantity of electrical fittings were damaged to some extent. The building, which was owned by Mr W. H. Travers, was not insured. Mr Sandilen had a policy for £IOO on his stock in the South British office. Messrs Toomey and Goodman had no insurance on the contents of their part of the building. The third subscription concert of the season is announced by the Koyal Musical Society, when Handel's immortal oratorio, the "Messiah," will be performed by a brilliant cast of soloists, together with an orchestra and chorus of over 200 performers. Mrs Percy Bule, of Timaru, has already won her laurels in oratorio, as also has Mrs E. P. Hall, the contralto, who scored a veritable triumph with the Manchester and North of England Choral Society's concerts some years ago. Mr Sidney Butler, the tenorj late of the Boyal Academy, comes with a great reputation as a soloist. Considerable interest is being evinced locally by the appearance of Dr J. C. Pairman, baritone, who is generously assisting the Musical Society with his services, and makes his first appearance on the Christchureh concert platform. The box plans open at Milner and Thompson's at 1 o'clock on Thursday. It is very doubtful, owing to the conI dition of the ground, whether 1 it will be possible to play representative cricket matches at Lancaster Park this season. Mr W. Simpson reported to that effect at Saturday evening's meeting of delegates of the Canterbury Cricket Association. A wicket, however, was being prepared find the management committee will inspect this in a fortnight or so, to see whether it could possibly be played upon. It was in the interests of the game that matches be played at Lancaster Park. Mr A. Grant stated that during the progress of the Linwood-Sydenham match, at Lancaster Park, two runners were training on the ground. An unsuccessful effort had been made to arrange to have the front gates opened to admit the public. It was decided to ask the Board of Control to have the front gates opened for matches and not te sanction training as described. A resolution was also adopted asking the board not to allow football to be played after September 1 of each year, in order to permit of the ground being top-dressed and prepared for cricket. "Religion and the Great Charter" was the title of an address delivered in St. Michael's Church yesterday afternoon by Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M. The speaker traced back to their origins in English history the institutions on which all free British states are dependent—the legislative power of Parliament, trial by jury, and the like. To-day, he said, the world was beset by many troubles, even though the great conflict had been ended. Nations were seizing new territory, old hatreds survived, Capital and, Labour vvr.io still antagonistic. The British Empire 1 needed more population, but thousands of people were shirking their duty of bringing children into the world. All these troubles sprang from human relfishness, and the only remedy was Christ's law of love. Christianity had not failed—it had not been properly tried. Christianity was not a matter of ceremony, apostolic succession, and things of that kind, good as they might be. It was bound up with the fatherhood of God, the communion of the Spirit, and the brotherhood of man. There was a call to the Church to serve all classes,' and especially .•hildren, who were often sadly neglected. So might all divisions be healed and the conversion of mankind brought nearer. Tlie 1921 HAELEY-DAVIDSONS. ALL MODELS AEB HERE FOR CHEISTMAS. Bookings are heavier than ever, so get in early. Inspect the Electric Sport. Investigate the Harley Commercial Delivery Service. The Harley is the most popular motor-cycle in the world. It has made its way by the way it's made. JONES BEOS., LTD., - The Harley Corner. , .8