THE SUBMARINE PERIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 169, 19 July 1910, Page 4

THE SUBMARINE PERIL.

j According to the Berlin correspondent of the "Standard," Germany is creating a great fleet of submarines to supplement the strength of her ever-growing navy. It has long been generally known that Germany, while devoting so much energy to the construction and equipment of eirper-Dreadnoughts and super-Invineibles has not been neglectful of the torpedo and the submarine. But these recent rumours point to a sudden access of activity in this direction which should induce us to redouble our precautions against any sudden blow that may be struck at Britain's naval -supremacy. For though England is proverbially slow to take up a new idea, British naval experts are now coming round to the opinion long held on the Continent that the submarine is a terrible men-ace to the battleship, and that no adequate defence against it has yet been devised. An article which has just appeared in "Blackwood's Magazine" deals at length with "The Submarine Menace," and lays stress upon the transformation through which naval warfare is already passing by reason of the intrusion of this new and terrible factor into the great naval problem. The author, Colonel Repington, reminds us that the rapid development of the torpedo in recent years has introduced an entirely new element into naval tactics and strategy. ■"We went on," he tells us, "from the ISin. torpedo with a, range of 4,000 yards and a speed of 3G knots for 1,000 yards, to the 21in. torpedo, weighing nearly a ton, with a range of over: 7,000 yards and a speed of 40 knots. Improvements in the controlling mechanism have endowed this torpedo with astonishing accuracy, while the charge of gun-cotton carried in the head is almost treble the Japanese figure, and can be depended on to detonate at all likely angles on hitting a ship. Thus we have already arrived at a weapon which can compete with the gun at medium, if not long fighting ranges, and can deliver a far more deadly blow. By no means is this the last word of the torpedo, and we must expect the future to give us and our enemies a weapon of even greater powers." But though the invention of the torpedo practically revolutionised naval warfare, there are recognised means of defence that go far to neutralise its efficiency. With the submarine, it is not so. For, as Colonel Repington reminds us, we have nothing yet that can effectually combat the submarine which, in his opinion, 13 "not open, except accidenially ;ind by chance, to any known form of attack by ships in fair and normal fighting circumstances." Moreover, the submarine, once a mere toy, i<3 steadily improving in size and speed, the latest type having a displacement of 400 to 800 tons, a surface speed of 15 knots, a submerged epped of 10 knots, and a range of action of quite 2,500 miles. We must remember that tin's? latest developments have come about since the battle of Tsushima, and we have therefore had no .means of learning by experience what the submarine can do in actual warfare. But so (irmly is Colonel Kepington convinced that the submarine can accomplish what its adioirers claim for it, that ho is driven to the conclusion that "llie North Sea in time of war will very soon be, if it ia not now, no place for a seagoing fleet." In what is practically a land-locked basin, in which any ileet would be permanently within the "radius of action of submarines starting from any naval base on its coasts, the position of warships exposed to a sudden and unexpected attack would be perilous in the extreme; and however far the submarine has fallen short of expectations, there can be no doubt that its emergence us n fighting machine has immensely complicated the international situation. It is easy to understand the interest Germany is now displaying in this new naval weapon, for perhaps 30 submarines can be built for the two and a-half riiillions sterling that is now required to construct and equip one first-class battleship, and in less than half the time. And for all these reasons it will be necessary for England to follow with the utmost vigilance and care the warlike preparations which Germany is making on her North Sea coast, and the steady growth in the size and strength of the High Sea Fleet.

The following is Mr. D. C. Bates' weather report and forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day:—"Moderate southeasterly winds, freshening and veering to strong to gale. Easterly after twenty hours. Expect ■unsettled, cloudy, and hazy weather; rain probable; glass fall after ten hours. A storm area appears to be approaching from the northward and westward. Sea increasing after 16 hours; tides good; sea rough."

A horse wa3 apparently struck with paralysis this morning in Shortlandstreet. It was coming up with an empty float, when it suddenly lay clown in front of Hobson Buildings. When the harness was removed the animal showed no disposition to arise, and had at length to be assisted to its feet. It was then found that it could not walk, and ultimately the horse was removed in a float.

In the course of a letter, dated June 2, from Messrs. McArthur, Ltd., before the Harbour Board this afternoon, the firm notified that, according to advice from the contractors, all the material for the SO-ton crane was ready for shipment, while in a subsequent advice, dated June 10, it was stated that arrangements had been made to ship the barga of the crane by the s.s. Empire Transport, leaving Liverpool about July 2nd. The letter added that the crane work was not yet ready, and that they were waiting further advices from Messrs. W. T. Andrew and C0.,-as to when it was likely this material would be in order for shipment.

In the Royal Hotel, Lambton Quay, Wellington, on Saturday afternoon, an incident of a somewhat sensational nature occurred. An individual, the worse for liquor, demanded to be served with a drink, and on his request being refused, he seized a bottle standing on the counter, and aimed it at the barmaid. The latter successfully dodged the bottle, and escaped injury, but it came in contact with several bottles on the shelves, and these came down with a crash.

Speaking at a meeting of ratepayers at Ellerslie last night, Mr. S. Somerfield, a member of the Town Board, said ho hoped at some future date to see St. John's Lake and all the adjacent swamp land made into a recreation ground, lie hoped that other local bodies would take the matter up, and carry forward this scheme.

Tlis assessment court sitting yesterday to hoar objections from kndoVnc-r.3 in tbs Mount Eden, Mount Takapuna, Waitakerei and Birkenhe'ad dU■tvicta, oon*-inuc-d to 10,30 p.m. kat nigbt, so as to. dispose of all the business, '

I Mr. E. C. Robins, a past president 6t the United Fire Board Association, attended a meeting of the Parnell Borough Council last evening, and addressed those present on the advantages of Fire Boards. He said that at a cost of £2000 the brigade could be equipped with up-to-date appliances, including a fire motor-en-gine. The upkeep would_ not be very great, and if the brigade -were controlled by a Fire Board, the" latter body- could make the fire insurance companies and the Government contribute towards the maintenance of the brigade. The Council now controlled 'the brigade, but they could not force these bodies to assist in the upkeep of the brigade. The Council decided to go into the matter at a future date, and passed a vote of thanks to Mr. Robins for his address. A social evening was tendered to Sister Esther in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, last evening, by the tea-ehera of the Auckland Methodist Mission Sunday School. .During the evening a presentation was made to Sister Esther by the teachers. Musical items were rendered .by several friends, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. ThoujrU Sister Esther has severed her connection with the Mission, she is continuing her work as a Sister of the people. Mr R. Mill, of Wellington, accountant in the Bank of New Zealand, is .to be transferred to London, to be associated i there with the head oliice. He will leave in about a month. This engagement oi a New Zealander for duty in London is a new departure, with the object oi having at the London end an officer with up-to-date knowledge of New Zealand conditions. Mr 51 ill joined the bank in Dunedin, where he was a sub-accountant, and a few months ago he was transferred to Wellington (says a Press.Association message). Deep regret was expressed in Paeroa when it became known that Mr C. J. Shaw had pa-ssed away on Sunday night. Deceased has been suffering from miners* complaint for the last three or four years, and has been unable to do any work for the last two years. He leaves a widow and six young children to mourn him (says our own correspondent). Mr Colvin, M.P., has resigned his position on the Westport Harbour Board., with which he has bae.ii associated for 23 years. As there are two other vacancies on the Board, caused by the death of the Hon. R. H. J. Reeves and Mr J. Suisted. it is anticipated that fresh appointments will be made this week. Mr C. Cropper, of Kaig-oorlie (West Australia) has, stntes a Press Association cable from Sydney, been appointed secretary of the Australian Jockey Clab, in succession to Mr T. S. Clibborn. Dr. Henry and Mr Chai-les Potts are conducting a very successful mission in Duucdin. Every d:iy the Garrison Hall has been well filled, while at night Dr. Henry's stirring addresses have had a telling effect on his hearers. The mission will be brought to a close this weeK.

The passing away of a centenarian took place at the Avormaie Mental Hospital on Saturday, in the death of Mr John for many years a resident of Hamilton. About two years aso the deceased relebratcd the 100 th anniversary of his birthday, and was admitted to the institution last month owing to the infirmities of his great age.

The University College Council decided yesterday afternoon, at the suggestion of the Mayor (Mr. L. J. Bagnall), to invite his Excellency the Governor to visit tho College. The suggestion was adopted readily as soon as made, one of the members, Mr. Beatty, remarking: "Perhaps when he sea? the College, he will give us G-overmuent House."

At last meeting of the Auckland University College Council a committee of the Council was appointed to consider a proposal that a conscrvatoriura of music, affiliated to the New Zealand University, be established. Dr. W. C. W. McDowell, convener of the committee, submitted the report to the Council yesterday afternoon. The Committee reported that it considered that every encouragement ehould bo given to the project, and, moreover, that in view of ■the success of the University College School of Music, and of the widespread love of music in the community, Auckland wa3 eminently suited to be the home of such a conseTvatorium of music. Certain important proposals relating thereto had been submitted to the Committee by Professor W. E. Thomas, Mus. Doc, but before placing the details before the Council, the Committee desired to be allowed to confer with the Finance Committee as to the best -way of carrying out the scheme. The report was adopted without comment. To-morrow being Arbor Day, the offices of the Magistrate's Court will observe a holiday. At the inquest on Nathaniel MeKeown, who died suddenly after leaving a bame of football at Thames on Saturday, a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. It was stated that deceased had not received any injury during the progress of the game, and had complained to the captain of his team of a pain in the chest just previous to his collapse. Ho had been subject to similar attacks in the past. The " sky rocket" of the Califomian University footballers is a quaint form of salute. In their own country ib is tendered any such high dignity as the president of a college when he appears on a football ground. A general shout of "•sky rocket" is the first item in the salute. Then conies a longdrawn whistle intended to typify the rising flight of a rocket, and a " boom" representative of its report in bursting. The name of the person honoured brings the salute to its termination. The " war cries," of which the Californians have a choice assortment seem to consist of a series of Jong-drawn syllables bearing a close affinity" to the "Choetaw" which Mark Twain used to talk to trusting strangers whom he met abroad.

It is only natural that when an inspector is timed to visit a public school, the teachers should be anxious for the children to present a good appearance. Thia no doubt was the reason why a master at siehmond-road ; School yesterday exhorted the children who had to come by that unfortunate throughfare to try and avoid the mud as much as possible. It is now nearly six months since the work started, and still no metal has been put on the footpath for the first block down from Ponsoubyroad. Ncarl- three weeks ago the City Engineer explained at the Council meeting that the delay has been due to the retaining walls, but that he had that day arranged for the erection of the walls. Unfortunately for some reason there is still no sign of .the erection of these wails being started.

Mr. Whelan i 3 presenting' the "Vorth Shore Rowing Club with a lndy's bracelet for billiards competition,' and* the entries will close shortly. Tha competitors for this trophy must be nominated by a lady.

All linoleum remnants reduced to less tlwii lulf-pripa durjng Smith and CUeat Clearance FAlß,—jAd'.j

1 An imposture of which fruitgrowers in tlie Canterbury district are toeing made the victims was brought under the notice of. the Agricultural Department. It appears that a small party of men provided with spraying apparatus and mixtures have been visiting various fruitgrowers in the suburbs and applying for permission to spray their fruit trees. They represent to owners that they are officers of the Department of Agriculture authorised to inspect orchards and do what spraying they are authorised to do. The growers engage them, the work Ls done, and a charge made and collected. Where do order is obtained, however, the sprayers leave a verbal notice to the effect that unless spraying is done within three weeks prosecution will follow. The threat is usually efficacious, and tire supposed officers of the Department add another job to their list. One fruitgrower became somewhat curious as to the identity of the sprayers, and the inquiries he made convinced him that the men were entirely unconnected with the Agricultural or any other Department, and that the notices they were giving were quite unauthorised.

The Wellington Boys'lnstitute, which recently received from an anonymous donor a donation of £2400 in land and cash, is about to make an appeal to the Wellington public for £10,000. It is not a case of " the more they get the more they -want" exactly, as the recent gift was not given unconditionally. It was stipulated that board and lodging should be provided for young apprentices and workers whose wages did not exceed IS/ a week. It has been found that 'the cost price of boarding each lad is 15/ per ■week, but the institute intend to attempt it at 12/6 per week, making up the deficiency by means of an endowment fund, i Half of the iIO.COO is needed for that pur-; pose, while the rest is needed for the new building, maintenance, and other contingencies.

There are some brave fellows toiling in the bush, says the "Taranaki Herald," and in nothing is their heroism shown mare than when an accident befalls any of 'their mates. Last week a young bushman had his leg broken in the country, twenty miles from Awakino. Twelve of his mate 3 carried him through the forest tracks, rivers and mud channels to the main road, where he was taken to New Plymouth hospital. The crossing of the Awakino river was attended with some peril, for the river was swollen, and the current strong. One of the bearers, as a matter of fact, was swept off his feet and carried down stream, but, fortunately, he was able to reach the bank, though by the time he reached it he was considerably exhausted. All the members of the relief party were greatly exhausted by the time they reached their destination, for the trudge through forest, river and tra-ck was sufficient to tax the strength of the most hardy, without being burdened as well. The injured man is making good -progress towards recovery at the hospital.

H.MjS. Powerful, •which, recently returned to Sydney, is at present moored off Garden Island for refitting purposes, ajid is expected to be ready for sea again in August next. The Pyramus and the Prometheus are also being refitted at the Naval Depot. The former is undergoing her annual overhaul, and will not be ready for service until September, while the Prometheus is having her boilers carefully repaired, and should resume her customary duties about the middle of July. The Challenger, Encounter, and Prometheus will probably .pay off in September next. The Cambrian is now at Fiji, and the Pegasus is cruising in ths New Hebrides, when she will probably be relieved by the Cambrian of Island patrol duly. The cruiser Psyche 5s at Port Adelaide acting as a drill ship for the South Australians, and is not expected to return until August. The steam survey yacht Sealark, which lately arrived from the East Indies, is now at Thursday Island ap.d will leave in a day or two on a survey cruise to the Solomon Group. The Pioneer is carrying out the usual drill for New Zealanders in New Zealand waters, while the Fantome is now upon an extended surveying cruise in West Australian waters. She will return to Sydney about November, and the crew will pay off early in 1911.

Owing to the rapid increase of population at Stanley Bay, and the consequent additions to the school roll, it has become necessary to enlarge the school in that portion of the Devonport Borough to meet the demands for additional accommodation. The present eehool was erected as a ''side" school in connection with the Devonport Public School, and accommodates in two class rooms about 120 children, ranging from the infant classes to Standard 11. A contract -vyas recently let for £G49 for the enlarging of the school, the successful tenderer being Mr. Hood, and the work is just 'being commenced. When the additions are completed, the echool will accommodate 240 scholars, and the classes will range up to the sixth standard. The school will be in charge of a headmaster (Mr. Geo. Wilson, late of Mayfleld), and under the Devonport School Committee. The building ie well designed, with ample ■pro-vision for ventilation, and the contract is under the supervision of the Education Board's architect (Mr J. Farrell).

The following tenders have been received by Mr. Ed. Bartley (arel-.ttect) for the Anglican Parish Hall at Devonport:—Brookes Bros., £2379; T. Brownlee, £2270; J. Corley, £2249; G. G. Pollard, £1974; Tye and Sons, £1969; Craig Bros., £1575; W. Ball, £1859; Hainon cand Sons, £IS3S; J. J. Holland, £1523R. MbCallum, £1797; and E. Momis, £1736.

At the FAIR; Ladies' neckwear at a sacrifice —'hows, silk ties, etc., 3 for 1/-, to clear.—Smith and Cau"hey, Ltd.— (Ad.)

Girls' flannelette nightdresses, all sizes, Is lid; girls' corset bodicee, all sizes, Is.—Smith and Great F-iXR -(Ad.)

Men's sample underwear, boys' sweaters, etc. Odd lots at remarkably low prices.—Smith and Caughey's F-VLR (Ad.)