HOME NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 539, 21 June 1909, Page 8

HOME NEWS.

INTERESTING ITEMS BY MAIL London, May 7. The British Aorial' League has appointed a small sub-committee to draw up a detailed scheme for tho establishment of a national aeronautical college. It is hoped within a very short timo to submit a definite scheme, and steps will then be taken to raiso sufficient money to provide the annual salaries of professors, to put up'or rent buildings, and" to purchase a certain amount of scientific apparatus, dynamos, and some small examples of successful flying 'machines and airships. A sum of £100;000 or '£150,000 will probably be required, but no doubt is entertained that this wiH bo readily forthcoming, in view of tho urgent need of placing too study of aeronautics on a sound and businessliko basis.

For a long time St George'e Day has been declining in popular favour, and while nearly overy Londoner, Irish, or not, celebrates tho festival of St. Patrick's Day by "the wearin' o' tho green," there were very few indeed who honoured the patron saint of "Merrie England" on his anniversary this year by sporting tho rose a3 a favour. x Still, tho day was not forgotten.. From many a church and public building the banner of St. George flew. At St. Paul's Cathedral, a service was held in the beautiful chapel of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and a now rercdos, tho gift of Lord Strathcona and Mr. > Charles Macaulay Brown, was dedicated in tho prosence of tho Prince of Wales, tho Grand Master of the Order, and the membora of tho Order in all their glittering insignia. At tho Criterion Restaurant tho members of the Royal Society of St. George, .bord Northcote presiding, feasted on a baron of beef brought to tho table with pomp and ceremony by an escort of soldiers in the uniforms of .Elizabethan times.

Tho extraordinary immunity of passengers from accident on the railways of tho United Kingdom last year is shown in the Board of Trado return for 1908. Although. 102 travellers lost their lives, yet not a single death is reported as being caused by accidents to trains, rolling-stock, or permanent way, tho loss of life being due to such inisbaps as falling out when entering or leaving trains, or falling out of carriages. Nino' hundred and forty-one employees of the companies and other persons—not travellers—including buh cidea, wore killed, white 7984 casos of injury are recorded. There is a total decrease on 1907 of 74 cases of persons killed, and of 827 of persons injured.

The principal feature of the three weeks' Shakespeare festival—the poet's birthdayhas been colebrated with intense onthusiasm at Stratford-on-Avon. Flowers of all kinds, from tho gorgeous tribute of the wealthy to the humble nosegay of the villager, were brought to lay on the gravo of the bard. In the widest thoroughfare flag-masts had been erected, and at tho sound of a buglecall the national flags given by,tho different countries—including those from, Canada, tho Commonwealth, New Zealand, ■■ and New South Wales—wore sot fluttering in the) hreozo._ This was followed by a special service in the church, when Mr. Whitelaw Roid (the United States Ambassador) laid a wreath on-the grave on behalf of the Now York Crab, "The Players," and spoke of the New World's pride in tho genius oi Shakespeare.

Ar&hough' it is not desirablo that any details should bo published concerning the new powerful projectile which the War Office has practically agreed upon, it is' pernnss'.ole to say that the authorities arc satisfied with a recent series of experiments with reg.nd to rifles, guns, and ammunition generally. It is an open secret that a .very powerful shell has boon obtained for the use of tlhe heavier guns. Exhaustive tests are also in progress with rifle ammunition, and a light, tapered buUofc of vastly increased velocity is ready for adoption as soon as tho necessary outlay is sanctioned. The question of ttfie rifle, I>nvevor, comes into consideration, as, in view of the near advout of tho' automatio small arm any considerable outlay on the present breech is not deemed desirable. Meanwhile, tests will be made towards securing a breech action suitable for the now ammunition and capable of automatic loading.

With the practical object of studying methods of preventing coast erosion and other matters incidental to the reclamation of tidal lands, the, members of the Royal Commission on Cosst Erosion have arranged to make a tour of inspection in the British Isles, Holland, and Belgium. After tho tour the commission, which has been sitting since 1906, will prepare and issne its report. .Tie sea possesses tiagio associations for tho Ramsay family, tho head of which is the Earl of DaJhousie. It was 21 years ago that the beautiful countess, the mother of Mie persent earl, died suddenly at sea, while her husband, who was with her, was ovorcomo with grief and died, the following day. Now tine Hon. Ronald Ramsay, a brother of the present holder of the title, has Disappeared mysteriously from Hie Hambcrg-AiDeriloa liner Cleveland, which reached Plymouth in the beguirriflg of tho week. His absence was first noticed «t_ a farewell ball given by tho captain;'-his oabin was empty, and inquiries on deck failing to discover Mb whereabouts, the ship was searched, but without success. An examination of his effects brought to right a letter addressed to his uncle, Ookmel tho Hon. Charles M. Ramsay, formerly MX for Forfarshire. Li it the writer said: "I am feeling rattier qneor, but I must just write to say good-bye to you. I wish I could have been more of o, companion to you up at Saskatchewan. Well, so long!' Do not groive very much for me, as I am sure I shall be all right."—"Standard of Empire."