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Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 216, 8 June 1926, Page 8

Do ships sink easily (asks the "Otago Dailv Times”)? From their experience in sinking tho Pateena the Dunedin Harbour Board’s staff is of the opinion that they do not. For some time past the Pateena has been dismantled, and all her fittings were taken out preparatory to sending her to her final resting place. One morning she was towed to the Heads by the tug Dunedin, and placed ready for sinking in a gap in the mole which had been made by heavy seas demolishing portion of tho decaying wood-work. When the Pateena was manoeuvred into position her sea cocks were opened, a»l according to the recognised maritime calculations in such matters, she should have sunk in an hour. The calculation, however, moved to lie inaccurate, and she settled so slowly that the process was* almost imperceptible. To facilitate her dispatch, the Dunedin started her salvage pumps, and during three hours pumped 300 tons of water per minute into the Pateena. Still the old vessel remained afloat. Then a big hole was driven through her sides with crowbars, and as the volume of water which poured into her was thus greatly increased, sho soon lurched and settled on tho sandy bottom. Tho forecastle head and poop were awash at high water.

A good Exhibition story iq going the rounds (says 'the "Otago Daily Times”). A few weeks ago a well-known professional man and equally prominent' business man not unconnected with tho management of the Exhibition were dis. cussing the question of whether the 3.690.090 mark would be reached. The Exhibition man was in duty bound to bo optimistic as to the future attendance, and expressed his firm conviction that the coveted goal would he exceeded The pessimist ridiculed this,, and to show his want of faith he .said to his friend that he would give him a penny for everv verson entering the gates in excess of 3.000,000, provided he received a penny for everyone under this number. "T.aw” on this deal is being badly beaten. Every thousand over 3,000,000 means £4 3s. 3d, and readers can work out for themselves the amount to he paid. It will indeed be a substantial sum that the optimist has to collect.