THE ITALIAN WARSHIP.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 117, 14 November 1895, Page 3

THE ITALIAN WARSHIP.

» The Christoforo Colombo, a cruiser of the Italian navy, which is on a tour ronnd the world, ia expeoted to reach Wellington from Sydney in a few days. When she net oat on her cruise it was arranged that she should be absent for two years, about half of whioh period has nov elapsed. Meanwhile she has been to variouslndian ports and Japan,proceeding thence to Batavia, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, and Sydney. la appearanoe the Chriatoforo Colombo is not formidable, and her arms equipment ia but modest, comprising six sin, two 2Jin, and fonr smaller trunß. She was launohed at Venice in 1892, and is of the following dimensions : — Length, 248 f t; breadth, 37ft ; and depth of hold,-16ft Bin. The hull is of steel, divided into watertight compartments, and the vessel has a smart appearance. She is square-rigged on two masts. Her engines aro Baid to be oapablo of ensuring a speed of 17 knots per bonr if required. She carries 19 officers and 200 men, and npon leaving here will go home via Fiji, Samoa, Honolulu, and the principal Paoino Coast ports of America. Her officers are— Captain, Aiessandro Bertolini ; commander, Ernesto Presbitero ; lieutenants, y. A. R. Principe Luigi Di Savoia, W. Cagni, W. Bombo, L. Besio, E. Frigerio, L. Do Filippi ; ohief engineer, d Bicei ; engineer, V. Carniol; paymaster, G. Politi ; first dootor, M. Belti ; second dootor, L. Ginra ; assistants, T. Aymerioh, E. Winspeare, C. Vensi, G. Arrivabene, T. Taraoh, and L. Haghek. Prince Lnigi, Dno d'Abruzzi, one of the lieutenants,! is a son of the late Prince Ajnadeo, Duo d'Aosta, a brother of the King of Italy. The prince, who is 23 years of age, is travelling incognito, and for that reason no pnblio oonrtoaies have been paid him in Australia.

The Town Clerk returned from Christohnrch this morning. The following oxtract from a letter addressed to a Wellington firm by a corro■pondent in San Ftnnoisoo indicates the oare displayed by pomoiogists in America in preparing fruit for export -.—As to apples — " They are taken from the trees as late as possible before the steamer sails— just in time to getthem aboard. Eaoh pioker is famished with a ring giving him the limit of size, and when he comes to an apple whioh bo thinks may be too small endeavours to pass it through the ring. If it goes through, tho apple is discarded ; if not, it goes in with the others. So soon as eaoh pioker has his basket fnll he goes to the sorting station, delivers tho apples, and returns for another basket. At the sorting station, men who are used to doing such work oarefnlly leleot the apples, discarding all those which show signs of oodlin moth or any worm. He is also oarefnl to see that no brnised apples are taken. After being hanled to tho packing house in temporary boxes, the apples are placed before the packers, who again go over them, taking care not to wrap a single apple that shows even a sign of oodlin moth, or any worm, or a bruiso. The boxes are then carried to the nailer, who puts the coverß on and ships them." Messrs. Dnnlop, of Glasgow (says the London correspondent of the Auokland Herald), are the snooessfnljtenderers for the new Bteamer for tho New Zealand Government. Although not the lowest, their tender is, however, at a price considered reasonable—about .£30,1)00. 'J here were two lower tenders, bnt both were invalidated by failing io oonform to the specifications* Tho new steamer is designed striotly for use and not ornament. She will not be by any means pretty or yaoht-like in appearanoe, and will not have anything liko the fine lines of the Hinemoa. Bnt she will be a useful and comfortable boat, although her oabin aooommodation will neoessarily be limited. Sho will be fitted up forward with all the neoessary cable-ropairing apparatus. As regards her maohinery, she is to have every latest improvement in engines and boilers. It is estimated that she will steam 14 knots per hoar, on a comparatively small consumption of ooal. It is understood she is to be named the Theresa.

The coming week will be a regular gala week at Mr. 0. Smith's, the Cash Draper, Cuba-atreet. The second shipments are now open, and t're«h nr>volHe«< in every department Bhowiug. The mantle-room is brimminp ovor with novelties. In the millineryroom the variety is beyond description. The children's millinery and washing hats and- bonnets are marvellously cheap. The ladies' and children's costumes surprisingly cheap and prettily made. The dress and blouse materials are pronounced the best range ever shown in New Zealand.— Advt. For continuation oj r/tar^ng matter ttsjovrth

" WAHOO " VICTORIOUS ONCE MORE.