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Temuka Leader, Issue 2824, 4 June 1895, Page 2

There are 111,000 medical students iu the United States. Nearly '2OO tons of deal are utilised annually in skewering the ha’parths of cats’ meat, which is the fate of ‘20,000 London horses every year. Tim best medicine known is SANOKn Si Sons’ Eui.'.via'l’Tl Extract. Tost its eminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, inlluenza ; the relief is instantaneous, lu serious eases, and accidents of all kinds, bo they wounds, burns, scalding, bruises, sprains, it is the safest remedy—no swelling —no inliammatiou. Like surprising effeeta produced in croup, diphtheria, bronchitis, inflammation of lungs, swelling, Sco., diarrhoea, dysentery, diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs. In use at hospital and medical clinics all over the globe ; patronised by His Majesty the King of Italy ; crowned with medals and diplomas at International Exhibition Amsterdam. Trust in this approved article and reject all others.

THE BALTIC SEA CANAL. The history of the Baltic Canal goes baak to the early days of the fourteenth century. Since the sixteenth century it is stated that 16 schemes have been known, nine of them coming into existence since 1863. The Steoknitz Canal, completed in 1398, still forms a means of communication by canal boats between Lubeck and the Elbe; and the Eider Canal, finished in 1784, which runs between Kiel, on the Baltic, and Tdnuing, on the North Sea, though it follows the tortuous course of the river Eider for a great part of its length, and is, in addition shallow and narrow, has been very largely made use of. Its dimensions, however, prevented it being of such importance as could have been wished. It was felt that it should be replaced by a canal large enough to float with safety the best ironclads of the German navy and the largest English steamers engaged in the Baltic trade. When, therefore, the Baltic

Canal Bill was placed before the Reichstag it was passed with enthusiasm. The total expenses were to amount to 166,000,000 marks (about £8,000,000 sterling), of which Prussia was to furnish one-third, and this sum it is estimated, even with the extra amounts paid for fortifications, barracks, and other defence works, has not been greatly increased. The great German canal, which is all but finished, and is to be opened with great pomp by the Kaiser on June 1, connects Holtenau, near Kiel, in the Baltic, with the Elbe, where it commences to widen out into the North Sea. Its total length is more than miles, and great care* has been taken to avoid awkward curves, so that for about two-thirds of its length it runs in a straight line. Its width is 210ffc and its depth 30ft, these dimensions admitting of the easy passage of the largest ironclad afloat. The locks at each end, among the greatest in the world, protect it against the changing water level of the Elbe and the Baltic, but that on the Elbe will always be open except at high tide, or when it is flowing —that is, at least three hours twice a day—and that at the Baltic entrance may remain open for half the year; for on that side there is no appreciable rise or fall of the tide, and it wil only be used on the few days in the year when, owing to stormy weather, the tides are very high. The construction of the canal has employed some 8000 workmen and officials for the past eight years, and in that time nearly 83,000,000 cubic yards have been excavated.

The depth and breadth of the canal being so great and its construction so substantial, vessels are allowed to traverse it at the rato of over six miles an hour. Its current is so strong that it is not expected, except in unusually severe winters, that it will be frozen over. Throughout its entire it is to be lighted by electric light, so that navigation may proceed day and night. There is no doubt, claims one writer, that an immense number of merchant vessels will adopt the canal route; in fact, the major portion of the Baltic trade must inevitably pass through it. Five years ago the tonnage of vessels passing through the Sound amounted to the enormous extent of 300,000 tons a month. The use of the canal will considerably shorten the journeys from English porta below Newcastle, the Atlantic ports of France, and the ports of Belgium, Holland, and on the German North Sea coast. Tne voyage from Loudon to Kiel will be shortened by 22 hours, and that from Hamburg by 44 hours, a considerable saving in these days when so much importance is attached to quick communication. Then there is another point in favor of the canal which will largely increase its usefulness—its safety compared with the dangerous voyage round Denmark. The possage round the Skaw and through the Sound and Belt is beset with perils, as ihe shattered bones of many a good ship testify. It is estimated that in a period of 27 years, from 1858 to 1886, no fewer thap 6316 steamers and sailing vessels were wrecked on the Danish and Swedish coasts, and of these 97 steamers and 2742 sailing vessels were lost. From 1877 to 1881 708 persons lost their lives in waters which, after the completion of the Baltic Canal, will no longer need to be passed through. According to former calculations the number of vessels of all nations which are lost on passing round the Skaw amounts yearly on an average to 200. The maximum in one year (1872) was 423 ; the minimum, in 1870,154 vessels. The importance of the canal as an addition to Germany’s means of defence is also very great. Its completion will enable the German fleets stationed in the Baltic and the North Sea to unite, without fear of opposition, in whichever sea the greater danger threatens, and the danger of the navy being divided in time of war diminishes to the vanishing point.