SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 154, 24 March 1908, Page 7

SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

: (> •■■■■, A TWENTY-KNOT LINE. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT i • Brisbane, March 23. Mr. T. W. Raplcy, a Wellington passenger ,by the .Aorangi, states that while in America he learned from Sonator MiLaughlin that there was a disposition on the part of the United States Senate; to : . subsidise a twenty-knot line of steamers between San Francisco and Australia."

Tho approaching Easter-manoeuvres, said Colonel Duthio at tho annual "mooting of tho City Rifles last ovening, would bo carried out on;a system that had been advocated by somo olßcors for at least, eighteen years. They wanted .manoeuvres with some "meaning in them; they required to. know when they..went into camp what thoy were there for, and 'what they, wero going to do. This thoy wero now to have, and this year's camp. Was going to bo " tho best ever held in New Zealand." Tho Wellington City Rifles hold a uniquo rccord. The corps was founded in 18G7, and last night hold its, forty-first annual meeting. During tho wliolo of : its career tho corps lias-had only five captains. Its first commandor ' jWas Captain Buck, who was killed 'besido tho gallant Von Tempsky at tho battle, of To Ngutu-o-tc-Manu. Lieut. Hasty, of the same corps, also met. his death with his chief. Captain Buck was succeeded' iby Captain Crow,■ who afterwards, was promoted to tho i colonelship of tho regiment, and now, retired, resides; at Palmerston 'North..- Next came Captain Collins, who on being assigned his colonelcy, was followed by Captain ' Duthio.. Last year Captain Duthio received a stop up, • and Captain Esson now holds command. Tho present colour-sergeant of the company (ColourSergeant Davis) was its first bugler. The City Council, having again taken over the control of tho City Firo Brigade, and the Fire Police Corps, tho members of the latter were re-sworn by His Worship tho Mayor (Hon. T. W. Ilislop) at tho Town Hall last evening. The officers -for tho ensuing year arc as . follow: —Captain J. Wright; lieutenants, Messrs. T. Ballingcr, E. ikrmiirty, J. Doyle, nnd M. 11. Bigg; secretary, J. Dawson; treasurer, F. Cohen (all rc-electedl. .