LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1819, 4 August 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Victoria, with English and Australian mails on boaaxl, anrivwl in Auckland at noon yesterday. _ The Wellington portion of the mail wi'll arrive by the Main Trunk express this afternoon! When the Union Company's training steamer Aparima arrives in New Zealand miters at the beginning of next month, a number of her cadets will como ashore to sit for their second mato's certificates. Previously, all cadets who have sat for this examination have boen successful, and havo been appointed as deck officers on various steamers owned by the Union Company. In consequence of the cadets coming ashore there will bo several vacancies on the Aparima, and application should bo made as soon as possible. In January last the Aparima left the Bluff, and she has since visited Newcastle, Geelong, Melbourne, Durban, Las Palmas, Barcelona, Naples, Cardiff, Colombo, and Calcutta. For some yeaTs past the permanent staff of the Harbour Board has not been troubled much to practiso fire-drill, indeed, only a small section of special men have attempted to man the hydrants and run out the leads for a couple of hours every quarter. It is now the intention of the board, through an arrangement, arrived at between the wharfinger (Mr. Munro) and the Superintendent of Che Fire Brigade, to endeavour to make the whole of tho permanent staff—tally clerks, storemen, and lumpers—efficient in the handling of the fire suppression plant, iflcluding the board's big steamer (which is kept at the Fine Brigade Station). Two squads of men were exercised during the past week, and the showing they made amply justified the need for practice. Tho men are being taught how to keep, steam up on tho Engine, couple-up the big suction-hose, ono end of which is thrown into tho harbour, and handle tho leads from the engines to the supposed fire-point. Thirty-two men at a time are being exercised in the manner set out under the supervision of Superintendent Tait. Representatives of the various sports bodies will meet Territorial' officers at tho Garrison Hall to-morrow evening, to discuss dates for tho daylight parades to ba held this season. Tho Y.M.C.A. Ladies' Auxiliary's annual, sale of. .jyork .will be opened at 3. p.ni. on' Wednesday by his Worship the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Luke). From 7.30 eacli evening ft programme of vocal and instrumental items will bo rendered, in addition to competitions, side-shows, etc. ' The twenty-second annual report of tho Petone Fire Brigade states that during the year the brigade received 14 calls, four of which were false alarms. In onlv one instance was the building in which the fire broke out destroyed. Superintendent Hugo mado two inspections during the year, and appeared perfectly satisfied ivith tho work of the brigade. Tho strength of the brigade is two officers, fourteen men, and two messengers; The following are thanked for donations: Messrs. Coles, Aplin, Wvlie, Palmer, Urry, Johnstone, Coton, • llancock, and Card, ami the firms of Collins and Wearae, M'Ewen and Carter, Bonthrne, Wilson and Co.. George and George, Union Clothing Co., Boden and Co., and tho committeo of the-Udy Estate. At oi meeting of the Men's Brotherhood in the New Theatre yesterday afternoon Mr. G. Laureuson M.P., for Lyttelton, spoke upon the "Progress of Man." Mr. R. B. Williams will speak next Sunday. Mr. E. J,. Hyams, representative in Now Zealand for the Gramophone Company, of England,'and who has just returned from a visit to London, has mado arrangements at Homo to act in Now Zealand as the' representative of sevoral [cinematograph film manufacturers. Kirkcaldio and Stains,i Ltd., announce that they havo three Real Sealskin Coats in 6tock, the prices being .£97 10s., .£lO5, and .£125. ' During tho Sale, commencing on Monday, these Coats will be reduced at the rate of 10s. per hour until sold. See Lambton Quay Window.—Advt;