CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18499, 21 February 1930, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) IN AND ABOUT THE CITY. CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. Dull But Fine. The weather to-day was dull but rain held off. Medical Assoeiatino. The Medical Congress is proceedng quietly and happily. The golf competition at Shirley this afternoon was won by Dr Gossip (Christchurch). To-night the association is holding its annual dinner. Preparing for the Fray. An indication that the three political parlies are determined not to be caught unawares in the event of snap election taking place this year, is to be found in organising activity now in progress. The official organ of the Labour Party, in explaining the activity of the party in regard to the selection of candid?jtes. states that the uolitical situation has now become somewhat unstable, consequently the party is preparing for possible events. The Labour Party is also apparently determined to do everything within its power to try and force a coalition between the United and Reform Parties during the coming session, and there are not wanting indications that its Parliamentary tactics will be framed with this object in view. Supporters of the reform party also are being prepared for eventualities and the leader (Hon. J. C. Coates), who is understood to have been entrusted with a good deal of organising responsibility since the last general election, will arrive in Christchurch on March 11th for the purpose of meeting his supporters. While many members of Parliament scout the suggestion that a general election is likely this year, their supporters outside of Parliament are not so sure of the position. And seem anxious to make certain that they will not be caught unawares.

The Wool Crisis. No comment on the deadlock over the Wellington wool sale was made today by the president of the New Zealand Wool Brokers Association (Mr W. C. Brydon). Mr Brydon stated that a meeting of the Association would be held to-morrow, following which a statement might be available for put>lication. A conference was held in Christchurch yesterday between brokers and buyers, but no settlement was reached. The brokers conferred among themselves to-day. “We have no comment to make on the present position,” said Mr Herbert Hill, secretary of the New Zealand Woolbuyers’ Association. "Only those buyers who live in Wellington are now in that city, the bulk of them being hgre in Christchurch. We have said all that we want to say. The brokers must make the next move.” Five Shillings For Poor Box. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day. a charge against Charles Claude Allen of damaging an electric light plug, valued at 3s. the property of Richard Musson, was dismissed. Senior-Sergeant Shanahan said that accused went to a pie-cart and started ’switching a light there on and off. Eventually, he pulled out the switch altogether. When he was interviewed by the police -he admitted the offence. The Magistrate: How old are you? —Nineteen, sir. Have you fever been before the Court before? —Yes. What was that for?—Riding without a light. Oh, that’s not very serious; many of us have been before the Court for that. “I am not going to convict you this time,” said the Magistrate. Accused was told to pay the amount of the damage, and also to put 5s in the Court poor-box.

Borrowed Too Often. George William Nelson Wildermoth, a grocer, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s court to-day to a charge of fraud, and a charge of false pretences. On the charge of fraud he was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment with hard labour, and on the other charge he was sentenced to •one month’s imprisonment. Senior-Sergeant Shanahan said that accused went to Mr Clark, custodian of the Automobile Association, and said that he had had an accident with his car. He had £1 10s on him, and needed another 6s to pay the expenses. Clark lent him the money, getting an 1.0. U. for the amount in the name of Meyers. Clark became suspicious, and informed the police. A constable interviewed accused, who admitted that he did not have the £l/10/-. and that he had no car. He also gave his correct name. In respect to the other charg.e accused went to Mr Sutcliffe, secretary of the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union, and represented that he was the Invercargill secretary of the union. He then borrowed 10/-, and gave an 1.0. U. for it. He was interviewed by a detective, and admitted the offence. “He has a list for a similar class of offence,” said the Senior-Sergeant. “There is only one thing to do with a man like you,” said the Magistrate. “You are apparently making a habit of it.”

Magistrate Recommends Football. A boy, aged 18 years, whose name was suppressed, was charged before Mr E. D. Mosley, in the Magistrate's Court with theft on January 2 of a gold watch valued at £35, the property of his employer. Chief-Detective Carroll said that the lad was left in charge of the house on his employer’s farm and stole the watch. The matter was reported to the police, but the watch was returned before the police started their investigations. The boy saw the police himself and told them about it. His father was a thoroughly decent man. Mr Flesher, who appeared for accused, said that the boy was left in charge of the house. His own watch went wrong and he took his employer’s. He went to one of the missions conducted by Dr French Oliver, and was impressed with the wrong he had done. He went back to his employer with the idea of giving the watch back. The Magistrate: Is it his first offence?—l’m afraid not. “I am going to give him a fairly lengthy term of probation,” said the Magistrate. "He has had one side of his life stressed too much, and has had that one side brought too much to his notice. He should join some club where he can exercise his body as well as his mind. It w'ould be a good thing for him if he played a hard game of football. It is no good emphasising only one side of life. He must have a healthily trained body to have a healthy mind.” The boy was admitted to probation for two years.