Mr H. Kennkrley, hon. Secretary to the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade, wrote to the ! Boron..b Council last evening aa follows :-""! am requested to thank yon for your efforts in getting the fire station connected with the telephone, but would ask another favor Seeing that oar engine-keepers do not sleep on the station, it will be difficult for them fco hear any alarm when in their residences. There may be a difficulty with the North branch ac to distance; with the South branch it is only a few yards distance. VVe would ask if there could be an alarm bell placed in the keeper's house and connect with tho station. You will ace the advantage in case if fire. We trust that you will give the matter your favorable consideration." Cr Potls arid it was absolutely necessary that the request should be acceded to, and the bell affixed to tho keeper's residence. The Mayor said that tho cost would, according to Mr Coney, ooly be about 30s. Cr fiadfbrd alao stated tbat the Shortland keeper's reoidence was the Borough's property. Ou the motion of Cr Potts, it was decided t<? have the bell fixed up in tbe Short land engine-beeper's residence and connected with the Btation, and that the cost of having a similar connection made with tb.6 Grahams town Btation and the latter keeper's residence be ascertained,

The services of the recently-formed Te Aroba Rifle Volunteers have been accepted by the Minister of Defence. Last evening the members of the corps were sworn-in at Te Aroha by Lieut-Colonel Goring, officer com manding the district.
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
