LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The .postal authorities advise that s.s. Maheno, which left Sydney at noon on May 17 for Auckland, has on board an Australian and English, mail, via Suez, and also an Engliish and American mail via Vancouver. The Wellington portion should arriva by the Wain Trunk railway on Monday. May 22. Whilst Major-Goncr.il Godley was in Palmerston a day or two ago, ho visited tho Palmerston Show Grounds with Lieut.-Colonel Pvingle, wjth a view ol ascertaining if the halls and grounds would bo suitable for training purposes. After inspecting tho halls, Lieut.-Colond Pringle was authorised to obtain from the A. and P. Association a prico for tho use of the buildings for military purposes. Failing satisfactory arrangements being completed with the association, it is rjuito likely that the Defence Department will build drill sheds and base stores at Palniorston. Tho latter, it is stated, will bo provided in any case. Two 10-pounder field guns, from the D Battery's equipment, were sent up to Napier this week for the newlj'cstablished F Battery. The Court of Appeal (the Chief Justico and Mr. Justice Chapman on tho bonch) sat by adjournment yesterday, and immediately adjourned again until July 3. Tho Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) is to oonfer to-day with the Acting-Premier (tho Hon. Jas. Carroll) in regard to tho action by the Government and ' City Council ill conricction nith the approaching Coronation celebrations. There is an extreme dearth of railway trucks at present (says the "Mataura Ensign"). Cases have been mentioned where settlers havo had to wait for weeks for a supply, and even then havo had to put up with a singlo truck whero five or more had been applied for. Tho methods of tho Department are past finding out for in some cases empty trucks have been taken past wayside stations where grain was waiting for railago and sent to Invcrcargill empty, while they might easily have been sent there loaded. There is also a great scarcity of tarpaulins, and farmers havo been put to great difficulty in protecting their property at the sidings. This has been most pronounced at Maitland and at Brydone. It has been stated la us that trucks of chaff have actually bceu taken into Gore from country stations without any cover at all. If the excellent returns from tho railways havo been brought about by parsimony the country will not be inclined to support the Minister. Tho Mayor Mr. T. M. Wilford, invites citizens of Wellington to observe a holiday on Wednesday next.

Messrs. R. Hannah and Co. (Wellington) have contracted to supply the City Council with lure Brigade boots, over a period of two years, at a price of 30s. per pair. Tho only other tender received was that of H. Pannell and Co. (Christchurch), who also offered to supply tho hoots at 30s. per pair. Tonlis arid Andrews have contracted to supply tho corporation ivith various grades of sand at schedule rates during the current year. The only unacceptable tender was that of ¥. Lambert. W. Crabtroe and Sons are to supply an ironfence for tho stun of -C9O. Cnsuccessful tenderers were Luke and Co. (£9B), and D. Robertson and Co. (.ClOJ'l.

A rather interesting lecture was delivered last night by Mr. J. T. Fahy, electrician to tlie Railway Department, before the members of the Railway Mutual Improvement Society. Choosing for his subject that well-known though comparatively little understood force— electricity—lie illustrated _by lantern slides the progress mado in developing this important science. In order to give practical illustrations he had a telephone through to Palmorston, and was also connected with that station by tho Morso wires. Wireless telegraphy was also dwelt upon, and, up in tho rcom, was a model wireless outfit. By fixing ingenious apparatus to an orditelephone the voice of a man singing in a building some hundred yards away could bo plainly heard by those present. An X-rays apparatus was also exhibited. At the conclusion of tho lecture (on tho motion of Mr. T. Ronayno, General Manager of Railways), a. hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer.

Six British non-commissioned officers who havo volunteered for service in Now Zealand as drill instructors, left London.on April 27 by tho Athenic. They are: Corpora] of Horse H. Norris, Royal Horse Guards (a corporal of horse ranks just below a sergeant-major, and abovo a sergeant); Sergeant V. C. S. Beer, 2nd Dragoon Guards; Sergeant S. Wood, 3rd Dragoon Guards; Sergeant C, M. tVicholls, sth Lancers; Sergeant J. E. Partridge, 3rd Battalion Worcester Regiment; and Sergeant J. Shortal, 4th Battalion Leinster Regiment.