NEWS IN BRIEF.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2127, 8 December 1920, Page 7

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The band of the Ist (Canterbury) Begiment will give a municipal concert in the Linwood Park Eotunda next Monday evening. Speaking at the meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery to-day, Mr J. Tennent, of New Brighton, deplored the fact that on every fine Sunday crowded trams took people to the resorts on pleasure bent. He thought the people should hot devote Sunday to this purpose, and thereby give up their birthright of a Sabbtth. The quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Timberyards, Sawmills and Coalyards Employees was held in the Trades Hall last evening, Mr C. Pay (president) in the chair. Mrs 'H. P. Herbert, Labour representative on the North Canterbury Hospital Board, forwarded a balance-sheet of the fund subscribed by the unions to assist her in relieving distress. It was decided that a vote or : congratulation be accorded Mrs Herbert jfor her self-sacrificing work in coni nection with this matter. The meeting agreed to vote £2 2/- in response to an appeal from the Grocers' Assistants' Union on behalf of a distressed member. The Christchurch Orchestral Society's final concert of the 1920 season will be held to-night in the Choral Hall. The full orchestral programme will include "Bgmont" overture (Beethoven), suite "Byzantine" (Louis Ganne), Symphony in D Minor (Cesar Franck), Intermezzo from "Miniature Suite" (Eric Coates), and Prelude to Act 111., "Lohengrin" (Wagner). The vocalist will be Mr J. H. Cocks, who will sing "Thine Only" (Carl Bohm) and "A Memory" (Goring Thomas). Mr Howard Moody will play a pianoforte concerto (Weber) with full orchestral accompaniment. The box plan is at The Bristol. ' The Lyttelton Harbour Board was rather annoyed this morning by a letter from the New Zealand Farmers' Union asking the board to supply information "as to why the wharves now under repair are not being pushed on to completion, as the trade of the country is suffering for want of the same." Mr R. Macartney stated that the framers of tho letter ought to have known better than to write in such a strain. The wharves and tunnel could handle four times the present normal volume of traffic, and the trouble was the shortage of trucks. The Farmers' Union might, at least, have written for information before approaching the board in this way. Mr J. Storry endorsed the view that the harbour facilities were not at all deficient. Upon his motion it was decided to write to the Farmers' Union in similar terms. "We might add that we are glad to see that the : farmers are at last taking some interest ; in the work of the board," remarked Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P. "And that we are glad that the Mayor of Christchurch is taking some interest in the harbour problem," rejoined Mr- Macartney. "No unpleasantness, please!" , said the chairman (Mr H. B. Sorensen). . The practice of carrying cattle upon coal ballast, which led to a delay in discharging the collier Ngatoro at Lyt- ! telton this week, was mentioned at tho '. Lyttelton Harbour Board's meeting this : morning by Dr H. T. J. Thacker, M.P., who said that the practice was disgusting and insanitary, besides being cruel to the animals. Mr S. K. Sleigh, in answer to a question by the chairman, said that the practice of carrying cattle and sheep on coal ballast had been common for a number of years. The coal was not generally sold for household purposes, but was used for bunkering steamers. Captain H. Munro said that there was no offensive odour in the holds. Tho coal was small coal, and provided a better foothold for stock than wooden planking. The Hon. E. Moore remarked that if the coal were not removed after each voyage tho practice might be offensive. To this, Captain Munro replied that he had never known of any complaint on that score. The waterside workers had never objected to the practice before. It was decided, on the motion of Mr H. Holland, that the engineer obtain a report upon the matter. The 1921 HABLEY-DAVIDSONS. ALL MODELS ARE HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. Bookings arc 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 LTD, The Harley Corner. .8

Edward Wood was arrested by Constable C. W. Dunnet at Darfield on \ Sunday on a charge of committing an , indecent act at the' Darfield School Swimming Bath. He was brought be- , fore Mr Robert Reid, J.P., and re- . nianded to appear at Darfield on December 13. Bail was granted in accused's own bond of £IOO, with two sureties of £SO each. At a meeting of the Christchurch British-Israel Association, held last night, an address on "Jeremiah, the prophet of Israel, and his connection with Ireland," was given by Mr A. R. Ragg. The speaker dwelt upon the mission of the prophet in the planting of the throne of David in Ireland, and made special reference to the tribe of Dan. It was decided that, on account of the holidays, no meeting should be held in January. At the February gathering, Mr R. J. King is to speak on "Manasseh and America the Great People.'' Anyone contemplating a visit to Akaroa will be interested to know that reduced fares are offered by a new Motor Service from Christchurch to that I favoured holiday resort, which will commence on Saturday, December 11. From that date Reefton Motors, Limited, will run a special daily service, starting at 8.30 a.m., from Cook's Tourist Office (opposite Bank of New Zealand, Hereford Street), returning from Akaroa at 2.15 p.m. The return fare will bo 35/->and the single fare 17/6. Comfort will be the keynote of the new service, up-to-date cars and careful drivers being combined in an effort to make the trip thoroughly enjoyable. The sole agents for this new service are Thos. Cook & Son, 13G Hereford Street, where seats can be booked. Early application is advisable. .2

To-day ’a river report stated that the Rangitata was clear (weather fine, with ,nor’-wester) .Opihi clear (weather fine), Bakaia and Waimakariri (north branch) clear, Waitaki fishable (weather fine), and "Waimakariri (south branch) discoloured. Human nature in the colliery districts (remarks an English journal) has not changed since the days of John Leech, who drew for “Punch” a picture of a miner saying to his wife, “Where's t’ milkf” “I gived it to t’ child,” replied the woman. “Dang t’ child,” said the miner, “theo should ha’ gived it to t’ pup.” At Newcastle, in October, a miner said to be earning £7 a week was sent to prison for six months for neglecting his family by giving his dogs the fresh meat and milk which should have gone to his children.