A Fortune From a Wreck.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3630, 29 March 1906, Page 2

A Fortune From a Wreck.

It is ptetty generally known that during the last twelve monthß the Hon. J. G. Aikman, M.L.C., of Melbourne, has made some ’ thousands of pounds out of the wrecked “ Australia,” which he bought at auction for the March issue of “Life” Mr Aikraan tells how he came to buy the wreck, what he gave for itj , and—approximately —what he got out of it. It makes a romantic story, is finely illustrated with a lumber of excellent photographs taken on and about the wreck by Mr W. A. Somerset, and will be supplemented next month by the diver’s account of the salvage operations. It is interesting to lote, in passing, “ that in September of 1892 the R.M.S. ‘ Australia ’ slipped out of the Clyde, a nost faithfully built and splendidly equipped vessel, the pride of die great ship-building companj'. ■lire had cost ' cool half-million. In her beautiful engines were the oossibilities of 100,000 horse lower, and her daily coal-bill was 120 tons. Twelve years later, ilmost to the day, she lay on a ■helf of rock ; and in a little Customs shed on the other side of the world she was knocked down for a oaltry and became the oroperty of the writer, a Melbourne draper. Between those lates she made nearly two-score trips to Australia, bearing to and f o millions of merchandise and thousands of passengers. She was something of a record-breaker. On her maiden trip to this country that suggested her name, she beat the previous best to Albany; on her very last journey she made a record run across the Bight, and to these triumphs was added the loubtful honour of being the •dchest wreck in Australian waters.” In the same issue of “ Life,” Dr Fitchett continues his ine series of articles on India, and relates in picturesque, telling ihrase the story of the Taj_,at Agra. A prominent authority ohv Fiji carries on the story of the colonisation of the islands, and makes some striking comparisons between conditions of early and later Fiji. A welcome contribution is a bright, breezy article by Oeorge Horace Lorimer, author of “ Self-Made Merchant’s Letters to His Son.” Mr Lorimer, who is something of a philosopher, tells who the self-made man is, and gives some genial advice theron. This is an article that all young men should stilly. It might be added that the general contents of “ Life ” cover an amazing amount of ground, and show a careful consideration for the wants of ail classes. The whole magazine Is bright and informative, and keeps veil up to its standard.