ROUND THE WORLD IN A BARREL.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 200, 21 July 1903, Page 4

ROUND THE WORLD IN A BARREL.

A man, named Felix Tanner, a dive*-, lately in the employ of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, intends at an early date attempting the rather venturesome task of sailing round the world in a barrel, specially constructed and rigged for the task. The vessel will be a barrel, entirely constructed of kauri, with strong steel hoops encircling it. It will be rigged with a mainsail and jib. The keel will be construe ted of lead, which will be made heavy enough to act as ballast. The bow of the barrel will be rounded up beat shape, so as to allow of its cutting through the water ; the stern will also be tapered, so as to allow of steering comfortably. The adornments will comprise a swan's head at the bow, giving the finished appearance as though the barrel was i-esting on the back of a huge swan. Sail setting and steering will be easily worked in fine or rough weather, as provision will he made by means of wire lines to set the sails or take them down, also to steer, with the barrel entirely shut up. In fine weather the cabin can be opened in the usual way'as on small boats, and theie will be accommodation for two persons. Mr F. Tanner is quite confident of success in his venture, and considers that his craft will be a safer seaboat than the Tilikum, now touring the world.

At Geno tecently a suck was washed ashore containing two beads, believed to be those of a man of thiity and a woman of twenty, also human arm-. '■]\e hands of which indicated that the victims belonged to a good station in society, These human remains were wrapped in some nice journals of JNlav 6. a London daily paper of May 3, and a copy cf the Corriere della Sera. No light has yet been thrown on the mystery which surrounds the discovery. In the North Canterbury district the new wheat crops are beginning to show above ground, and there Lave been some early lambs, indicating perhaps an early spring. There is an ever-increasing demand for land in Southland. Where only £6 to £7 an acre was offered a fe.w years ago, LI2 and LI4 is now asked. This, says the Western Star, is a good sign, A rather n >vel suit came before t'v> S.M., at Winton [Otago] recently. Edward Tobin, farmer, was sued by Matthew Spurs, a lay preacher, for £4 10s, the value of a suit alleged to have been spoiled by defendant throwing egijs. The plaintiff stated that never befo: e had he been called upon to face such a fusilade, three dozen "ripe" eggs having been thrown at him ! lie was, however, non-suited, the S.M. contending that the complicity of defendant in the egg-throwing had not been proved. Whilst some 200 women were engaged taking part in a progressive euchre party, in New York, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to a charitable entertainment, the hall was iaided by the police captain,' who, in spite of a chorus of screams, arrested every woman on the premises. These euchre parties, the officer affirms, were only a blind for poker games. A six days' bazaar in aid of the social work of the Manchester and Sal-.-fvYrd Wesleyan Mission yielded .£15,529. The champion pacer, Almont, has lowered the Victorian mile record, held by Fritz (2min. 14 4-ssecs) to 2min. 12 l-sseos. Miniature rifle-ranges are to be erected at the Brisbane drillsheds to permit of rifle practice within the city boundaries. The Greatest Danger from colds and influenza is their tendency to result in pneumonia. If reasonable care is used, and Chamblains' Coush Remedy taken, all danger will be avoided. It will cure a cold or an attack of influenza in less time than any other treatment. It always cures and cures quickly. A Manoy sells it.