A FAST RUSSIAN BATTLESHIP.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 November 1901, Page 3

A FAST RUSSIAN BATTLESHIP.

The Eetvisan, which was launched at Philadelphia in 1900, and which it is announced attained a speed of 18 4 5 knots on her trial trip, is of tlxe following dimensions: —Length, 374 ft; beam, 72ft 2in ; mean draught, 25ft; displacement, 12,700 tons. She was built by Messrs Cramp, and according to the Russian programme five new battleships of 12,700 tons will resemble this vessel in general features and dimensions. The protection consists of 9in Krupp steel, the belt extending for two-thirds of the length terminated by athwartships bulkheads. From lOin to sin of Krupp steel protects the turrets, and there is a 2in to 4in steel deck from stem to stern. The slopes of the deck descend to the lower edge of belt, and the coal bunkers occupy the space between. The armament comprises four 12in breechloaders with ares of fire of 340 deg and a quick-firing battery of 12 6in, 20 Sin, 20 3-pounder, and six 1ponnder guns. Two triple expansion engines of 16.000 i.h.p., supplied with steam by 24 Niclausse water-tube boilers, drive two screws, and give a speed of 18 knots. The normal coal supply is 1016 tons, with an extreme bunker capacity of 2000 tons. The double bottom is also fitted for the storage of liquid fuel.

Mrs M’Kiniey’s Fortune. The late President M’Kinley was, it is reported, insured for no more than 67,000 dollars, Mrs M’Kiniey’s income from the insurance policy, tile 0000 dollars per annum, which will be granted to her ify Congress, and the private fortune left by her husband, will amount to about 13,000 dollars (£'2600) per annum.

Recovery of a Ring. A remarkable recovery of a valuable diamond ring which had been stolen has just come to light in Newcastle. A workman, while engaged in clearing out a drain in Mason Street, Byker, picked Up a diamond ring. He advertised his fortunate find, and then gave information to the police; It was then ascertained that the ring Was part of tire proceeds of the Heaton burglary, which attracted a great deal of attention at the time; in January last. The article hart evidently been thrown into the sink soon after the robbery, and lay there for nine months. A “ Chucker Out ” Machine. Inventors have turned their attention towards a machine to prevent late hours. A square ornamental mahogany case with a glass front is fixed up in public house or hotel bars. At closing time it starts to rack the nerves of the lingerer at the bar, and in transparent letters in an nounces, “Time, gentlemen, please.” An ear-splitting electric gong begins to ring, and this soon dispels any wish to remain in the bar. The machinery is so arranged that it begins its work punctually at the hour at which the house must close, and can only be stopped by the bar-keeper, who has a key.

Advantage of being an Australian. The Australian is much better off than the American (declares the “Tribune,” Winnipeg). He has n larger income, has more voice in the govsrnment of the country, is freer, better educated, and better off in other ways than the average man in the United States. Political independence is also more real in Australia than in tht United States. In the United States “labour” votes for one or other of two machine parties, Australia is the land of vie orious labour parlies ; in the United States they do not exist. There the working man seems to bo content to bo the political tool of the machines, that in turn are the tools of corporatfo is aid financiers. In the ooe country he is the political ruler, in the other ho is in the political power of the Rockefellers, Hannas, and Crokers.

American and English Boys. “I hold,” writes Sir Thomas Lipton in the “Royal Magazine” for October, “that it would be a good thing to send every English boy to America when he is 17, and to keep him there for a couple of years. I think the American boy is ahead of the English boy. I find that in America the managers of large concerns are often very youthful. In England their youth wou’et be a disqualification. It would not command respect. A man must look old before he is thought to look wise. That I believe to be a great error of policy in the affairs of a nation, a business firm, or a family. I first went to the States when I was 15, and my experiences at various places, all over the country, were the best commercial training I ever hart. I find that apprenticeship still stands by me, and it helped me more than anything else to the position I occupy.”