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THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN AT BRIGHTON. The figure in the foreground is one of the gentler sex, obtaining a good sun bath in front of the surf pavilion at New Brighton.

The Hornby school picnic was held at Ashburton. There was an attendance of about 180 adults and 250 children. An enjoyable day was spent in the Domain.

The activities of the Postal Department, as represented in Canterbury by tho Chief Postmaster, will bear fruit with the New Year in tho establishment of a largo number of rural mail services.

A series of articles on “ Old Christchurch” has been written for the “Star" by Mr Johannes C Andersen in Friday issues of the “Star.”

The rabbit, like the bookmaker, is an outlaw, but they both flourish like the green bay tree.

Notwithstanding the very bad weather nearly seventy students assembled at the opening of the W.E.A. Summer School

A Christmas trip from Ashburton to Christchurch in remarkable circumstances was undertaken by a six-year-old boy, Douglas Cribb, son of Mr and Mrs Cribb, of Dobson Street, Ashburton.

Early on Thursday morning fire swept the old building of Bishopscourt, on Papanui Road, getting a hold in the wooden shingling of the chapel roof, presumably as the result of the firing of a rocket during the Christmas celebrations.

BOXING DAY. Yesterday afternoon's wet weather was extended into the night. Just before eight o’clock rain set in drenchingly, without any cessation, sweeping the streets of the city and dispelling everything in the nature of a holiday

The Rotherham fete in aid of the hall extension fund was a brilliant success, the sum of £341 6s Id being realised. The bazaar was held in a marquee, prettily decorated with scarlet roses and ferns.

The ferry steamer Wahine arrived at Lyttelton yesterday morning from Wellington with 900 passengers. Last evening the Maori arrived with 650, the total arrivals for the day being 1550. The Wahine sailed again for Wellington at 9.30 am.

The drum carries one “section” of telephone cables containing 200 wires. The copper and lead are so heavy that 220 yards of the cable weighs 2 tons 10 cwt. The picture is taken outside the Bank of New Zealand.

“One patient one bed” is the motto in the Children’s ward of the hospital, but for the purpose of making more interesting pictures, an extra patient was slipped in while the camera clicked.

GROWING MORE VENERABLE EVERY YEAR.

A recent critic says that the All Blacks score 80 per cent, of their points from line-out movements.

KING EDWARD MEMORIAL OAK DOOMED. Out of line with the other trees in the avenue, and infested with scale, the oak planted in 1863 to commemorate the marriage of King Edward is to be cut down.

The pupils of the Victory Memorial School gave an enjoyable concert in St. Matthew's parish hall last night. The entertainment was held for the purpose of raising money to purchase a gramophone and to increase the school funds.

The Springfield Amateur Athletic Club held a successful sports meeting in the Domain yesterday, there being a large attendance and good racing. The Leeston Pipe Band supplied an excellent musical programme.

The King Edward memorial oak, planted in Fitzgerald Avenue in 1861 to commemorate the marriage of the then Prince of Wales, this tree is out of line with the other trees in the Avenue, and is infested with scale On very good advice it is to be cut