CONDENSED NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 6

CONDENSED NEWS.

OVERNIGHT SUMMARY. A recent decision to resuscitate a Scottish Society in Ashburton was given effect to on Wednesday when officers were elected. Settlers have guaranteed £IOO towards the cost of a bridge over the north branch of the Waipara river. The Nelson Automobile Association is agitating for an overhead bridge at the Annesbrook crossing, one of the worst in New Zealand. The Railway Department ha* promised to pay half the cost, £1750. The new Mayor of Sumner (Mr W. H. Nicholson) was installed on Wednesday evening. The ex-Mayor, the Hon J. Barr, M.L.C., presented the council with two panoramic views of Redcliffs. Town and country teams had a rifle shooting match at Rakaia, it ending in a draw, both sides scoring 286. The possibility of a fusion of the New Zealand Automobile Union and the South Island Motor Union on. certain matters and conditions will be discussed at a conference of representatives of the bodies concerned on May 30. The installation of the Mayor of Geraldine (Mr J. Kennedy) on Wednesday was made the occasion for a dinner at the hotel. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., mentioned that in forty years the population of South Canterbury had increased by only 10,000. The new Riccarton Borough Council met on Wednesday, the installation of the Mayor (Mr A. D. Ford) taking place. He said that two of the biggest questions to be decided during the year were sewerage and high pressure water supply. The total membership of the Scottish Society of New Zealand on March 31 wars 249. Th© balance-sheet presented to the annual meeting last night showed a credit balance of £l9 os. The excess of assets over liabilities was £595 12s lid. In the appeal for the Navy and Mercantile Relief Fund. Canterbury was the biggest subscriber with £49,929. Wellington, the next largest subscriber secured £39,757. Otago £29,03/ and Auckland! £28,262. Altogether the Dominion subscribed £177,483 for the fund.

Mr J. S. Jessep, vice-chairman of the Meat Control Board, states that while in London he found that there was a good market for pork and bacon. Pork weighed heavier than bacon, and he had managed to get freights reduced from 1 5-Bd, plus 2* per cent, to Id, and he was confident that this would be further reduced. Owing to a temporary shortage of sugar supplies several city grocers ■.dopted the rationing system yesterdav. and at the same time there was a keener demand by sections of the public. However, the Katoa has arrived at Lyttelton with a fresh consignment- from Auckland and the scarcity is not expected to continue. A representative of tlie Board of Trade states that there is plenty of sugar available, and that he cannot understand why there should be any impression to the contrary. The preparation of a scheme further to improve the river banks in the city during the coming winter has been decided on by Mr R. B. Owen. It is proposed, with the assistance of the City Council and other local bodies, to make an effort to continue the river bank improvement east as far as Burwood- Mr Owen says that the banks of the Heathcote and Woolston may be improved. Moorhouse Avenue could be greatly improved by putting ornamental lamps on the island opposite the railway station, limes along the middle of the avenue and shallow water channels, about four feet wide, on each side of the avenue. It is the hope of Mr Owen that the City Electricity Department will erect lamps on the banks of the river between bridges and that the band rotunda in Victoria Square will be replaced by a fountain commemorative of the early colonists. “ Admiral of the Fleet, Sir D. Sturdee. has written to me asking me to make known to the people of New Zealand the existence of the “Save the Victory Fund,’ in case anyone may desire to assist in this very worthy object.” ran a letter received from the Governor-General, read at the Canterbury branch of the Navy League last night. The letter said that the sum of £150.000 was needed to effect the necessary repairs to the Victory and to restore her to the condition in which she fought at Trafalgar. The Admiralty was not able to provide the money and the only method of raising it was by private subscription. The meeting decided to circularise members and a publicity committee was set- up. Mr N. D. Hood, Chief Inspector of Machinery, has been appointed by the Arbitration Court as chairman of the Engine-room and Stokehold Disputes Committee, provision for the constitution of which is contained in the seamen and firemen’s award. Ihe appointment holds good for the duration of the award, which expires on September 30. 1923. Clause 37 of the award stipulates that in the event of a dispute occurring at any port in connection with any matter not specifically dealt with in the award tlie difference of opinion shall be referred to a committee of three representatives of either side at the port concerned. If such committee is not available at the particular port the dispute is to be referred to a similar committee at Wellington. presided over by an independent chairman. Tf representative members of the committee cannot agree on a chairman the appointment has to be made t>y the Court.