DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 30, 4 February 1913, Page 6

DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

THE POSTAL SERVICE. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, February 3. The remarks of the Hon. C. E. Fraser, Commonwealth PostmasterGeneral, as contained in a cable message from Melbourne to-day, were brought under the notice of the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Postmaster-Gen-eral’of New Zealand. Mr Rhodes said that the reference in the cable message to the cheapening of postal notes was an error. The matter discussed between the two FostmastersGeneral was the question of an interchange of postal notes between the Commonwealth and New Zealand, or the .acceptance by the Commonwealth of British postal notes issued in New Zealand. At present suras of money cannot be sent from the Dominion to Australia by means of postal notes, and the proposals above referred to were discussed. Mr Rhodes added bfiat Mr Fraser and himself were negotiating w)th regard to the introduction of wireless telegraphy between Australia and New Zealand, but it was questionable whether wireless could be qsed for commercial purposes. The matter was still under consideration, and some arrangement might be arrived at.

GENERAL TELEGRAMS. ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT. Christchurch, February 3. Frederick William Bradshaw, manager of the Canterbury (New Zealand) Seed Company’s Rangiora branch was arrested to-day on a charge of embezzling money belonging to the company. .It is understood that a considerable sum is involved, and that the defalcations extepd over a lengthy period. SHIPWRECK RELIEF. Dunedin, February 3. Advice .has , been received by the Shipwreck Relief Society from Captain Fleming that the crew of the scow Reliance, which came to grief on the Manukau bar, had lost all their effects, f The committee has agreed to a suggestion by Captain Fleming that £3 be allowed to each man in the crew. THOSE MOUNTAIN GUNS. Christchurch, February 3. The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Acting Minister for Defence, made a statement to-day to a reporter respecting certain allegations published in connection with the new mountain guns imported for the-D Battery, He said that it was true that the mountain guns sent out last year by Vick-ers-Maxim were not up-to-date, but it ( was untrue that this fact is of recent discovery. From the beginning it was recognised that the guns, though good, were not true quickfirers, and in other respects were not up to modern requirements. The gups were purchased on the advice of the New Zealand Government’s exmilitary adviser at Horae, whose appointment was consequently determined. The firm of .Vickers-Maxim was communicated with and requested to take the guns back, and this the firm finally consented to do. It is understood that the firm has secured an,other purchaser for them. The statement that the ammunition was not of the right calibre was untrue. The ammunition vyas suitable, and would have been used in camp this year if the guns had been retain'ed.