Ship's Bell Honoured.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8029, 16 January 1906, Page 4

Ship's Bell Honoured.

ship's hell of the famous "Britannic" —s.hich ship has now been broken up—has been given a place of hononi' in the offices of the White Hinr Line in Liverpool. It is artistically mounted under a polished wood canopy, and bears on its surface a white star. During her thirty years' career, the "Britannio" travelled 2,23-2,9'J'j miles. Japanese Nurses. Nearly a year ago there were more than 1,500 Japanese nurses already trained, and upwards of IiOO still under training, who would be available for service in the event of war. Both in the conflict between Japan and China ten years ago, and in the North China troubles of 1900, the nurses of the Japan lied Cross Society vied with each other in reporting themselves ready for work. An Early Manuscript of the Bible. The family of the late Duke of Sussex possessed an extraordinarily line manuscript of the thirteenth century, upon vellum, in two volumes. It is endorsed " liihlia Sacra Hebracia." At the end of the second volume there is the following curious inscription : "I, Meyer, the son of Hahhi Jacob, the scribe, have finished this hook for liabhi Abraham, the 5052 year (that is Anno Domini l'.:»2), and he has bequeathed it to his children and his children's children for ever A;ntn, Amen, Amen. Snlali. lie strong and strengthened. - May the Book not be damaged neither this tiny nor for ever, until the ass ascends the ladder." After this there is a rude figure of an ass climbing a ladder. Chinese Graveyards. It is the essential condition required of all foreigners who wish to become naturalised citizens of China that they must own a private graveyard somewhere within the limits of the empire. These family graveyards are in the open fields, while they bury not so much hy excavating ami interring as by heaping up a great mound of earth over the coffin. The graves are of all sizes, the size of the mound being indicative of the wealth and importance of him who lies buried beneath—the larger and higher the mound the- richer and more important the deceased.

These mounds are made use of in war time as a means of defence, for some of tho larger ones would furnish cover for a whole company of soldiers, while the trendies all around the mounds serve to keep them from exposure when moving.

Czar's Own Railway.

While all the world knows about the TransSiberian Hail road, which is open to the general public, comparatively few arc aware that the Czar has secretly constructed another railroad, which enables Russian troops to reach l'ekin in much shorter time than by using the open road. Five Danish engineers, known to Czar Nicholas, personally, from his visits to his grandfather, King Christian, under the guise of missionaries, reported to the Russian Government on the best alignment, and more than two years ago the actual construction started, and a Chinese company was incorporated to take nominal charge of the southern end, which runs through Chinese territory.

The embankments and cuttings are unimportant, and the mils cross the numerous rivers and mountain streams on wooden trestles. As no foreigner litis ever been allowed to enter the country, it is not definitely known how far advanced the construction is; but as it is known that a very large force has been continually working on it day and night siuce the start, it is safe to say that the road must be nearly completed.