1917 Australian Federal Election. The incumbent Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Billy Hughes, defeated the opposition Labor Party led by Frank Tudor in a landslide. At this election, Hughes had abandoned West Sydney, which he won with 75.3% of the vote as the Labor candidate at the previous election in 1914, and moved to Bendigo instead, winning it as the Nationalist candidate. Sourced from Wikipedia.Letter of appreciation from William (Billy) Hughes addressed to Mr. Rule. Cream coloured paper with Commonwealth of Australia letterhead with coat of Arms. Dated Melbourne 8th May 1917. The letter expresses appreciation for the support of Gilbert Rule for the National Party campaign supporting Mr Hughes. Brown paper envelope is addressed to Gilbert Rule Esq. Bendigo. Printed on thr letter - On His Majesty's Service. Commonwealth of Australia Prime Minister's Department. It has a red 1 Penny stamp. gilbert rule, billy hughes, national party

index, ill, maps, p.254.non-fictionIn 'Steam Australia', Tim Fischer takes readers into the fascinating story of steam transportation over ten vital decades of transformation in Australia's history. The book also covers the great named express trains hauled by steam locomotives over the decades, such as 'Puffing Billy', Robert Gordon Menzies or 'The Ghan'. Special topics feature things such as Albury's 'break of gauge' platform (where two state track systems met), the Amiens branch line (running through Pozieres and Passchendaele stations in Queensland), some important characters such as C.Y. O'Connor and many more. The book is illustrated with over 300 exciting images from the superb National Library John Buckland collection of photography, many never seen before. Steam locomotives continue to operate as a key part of rail heritage tourism in Australia, demonstrating the ongoing legacy of these engines. The great age of steam in Australia and Fischer's salute to steam locomotion and all that it has achieved for this country is fascinating and captivating to both train novices and enthusiasts alike. A history of the steam train in Australia.steam locomotives - australia - history, railroads -- australia -- history