25 YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 147, 19 March 1934, Page 8

25 YEARS AGO

Naval Building Race t (From “The Dominion,” March 18, 1901)). Introducing the British Navy estimates, Mr. McKenna (First Lord of the Admiralty) admitted that they required the strongest justification from a Government that was pledged to peace, retrenchment. and reform; but the limits of the .British Navy were fixed by other Powers. Germany was so hastening her shipbuilding that 13 Dreadnoughts, instead of nine, would be completed in 1911. Britain would then have 16, but possibly Germany would complete ■ four more by April, 1912, making it necessary for Britain to order guns and armour to enable her to complete four extra Dreadnoughts by March. 1912. » # * The tender of Messrs. Mitchell and King has been accepted for the erection of new offices for the Union Steam Ship Company at Ute corner of Johnston Street and Customhouse Quay. The building will consist of four stories and a bns<*ment, and is to cost a little over £40.000. [Note : Another story has since been added to the building.]

Just before 10.30 last night an extensive fire broke out in the Square, Palmerston North, the seat of trouble being Messrs. Collinson and Cunninghame's large tailoring establishment, next IVafilegrave’s buildings. By the time the clanging firebell had brought the brigade to the scene of action the flames had gripped the rear wall, but after threequarters of an hour’s battle the firemen had control. The shop is now nothing but a chnotic mass of sodden and charred clothing and suitings. There is hardly an article on the promises which is not almost completely ruined. An adjoining shop’s stock also .was ruined b.v water.

The Postmaster-General of Victoria states that he will be unable to give any consideration whatever to wireless telegraphic schemes for another year.