GIGANTIC'S CELLULAR SIDES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 8

GIGANTIC'S CELLULAR SIDES

A cable message from London yesterday, in connection with the wreck of the Titanic, stated :— "lt is understood that the plans of the White Star liner Gigantic, now building at Belfast, will be altered to provide for cellular sides to the engineroom and stokehold. The Gigantic will also havo cellular sides above the waterline, and at ; the other holds." Speaking to a Post reporter on the-.sub-ject, an authority on shipbuilding said the idea evidently v/as that the cellular sides referred to meant a water-tank asan outside skin all round the .ship, running up as high as the main deck — in other words, , a continuous double side, with water between the outer and inner skin. It is a development in marine architecture which will bo watched with the greatest interest.

What the police described as a very serious case came before Messrs. Mothcs and Coles, Justices of the Peace, at a sitting of the Petone Police Court today. Arthur George Kjiowlce was charged with assaulting George W. Le\viii6, with intent to- do actual bodily harm, but the charge was reduced to one of common assault. The .offence took place at the rear of the Victoria Hotel on Ist April last. Accused pleaded guilty, and in asking for lenient treatment (stated that he only acted in self-defence. Ho made what wa6 termed by Detectivo Andrews "an extraordinary statement ; quite unbelievable." Dr. Kemp described the injuries received by Lewins, 6tating that he appeared to' nave been rather badly assaulted. There were injuries about the face and head. Detective Andrews stated that accu6ed left for Auckland immediately after committing the assault, and wafe arrested there. Nothing was known against him other than in>* connection with this charge. Mr. Mothes 6aid that even if Knowles's story was true, he should not have taken the law into his own hands. According to the doctor's evidence Lewins must have been punched unmercifully. It was indeed a serious charge, and had tho case come before a jury it would not have been lightly treated. Under the circumstances, the Bench could not impose a. lighter penalty than a fine of £10 ; in default two months' imprisonment. Witnesses' expenses amounting to £3 9s 8d were also ordered to be paid. The Public Works train is now carrying goods and produce over the Kiwi to Glenhopo section of the Nelson-W«st-port railway, a distance of about thirteen miles. It is expected that the section 'will bo handed over to lh<i Railway De.partnient in about two months. News was received in Wellington today of the death at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, on 13th April, of Mr. Harry Ockenden, of Auckland, who was advance agent to .Mr. Clement Wragge during his tour of New Zealand. DeK.th was due to an attack of pleurisy and asthma. Deceased was 50 years of age. The ninth annual report of the Wellington Boxing Association states, inter alia: "It is with deep regret that your committee lias to record the untimely passing of pur president, Dr. A. L. Napier M'Lean. His connection with the Wellington Boxing Association extended over a number of years, dating l'rom the tune the assccia'tion languished from want of assistance, ' such as . Dr. M'Lean was able to give. He was it. great enthusiast, ana threw himself whole-heartedly into every movement having for its object the proper control and popularising of the sport. Being •well up in ringcraft himself, he exerted great ■ influence over competitors and gained their complete confidence. His impartiality and sterling qualities won golden opinions from all with whom he come- in contact. He was rightly rccog-. nised throughout the Dominion as an authority on all points connected with, boxing. In refereeing and controlling lie set a standa.nl which may well be looked up to in future years. We desire to honour his memory — as an exponent of tho art, as an administrator, as k referee, and a gentleman." The Secr.eta.rv ■of tho Post and Telegraph Department (Mr. D. Robertson) has been officially informed that the statement that the Eastern Extension Telegraph. Company proposes to removo its landing-place in New "Zealand from Wakapuaka to Wellington is unfounded. New concrete mixers are under order by the Public Work 6 Department for work in connection with the new Parliament Buildings, and when they arrive better progress will be made with the work of laying the foundations. Meanwhile, the preparation of the plans for the main building ia going on, and ii is expected that they will be completed before the end of June. Some discussion took place,, at the meeting of householder at Roseneath on Monday evening; concerning the question of a more suitable place for tho school. Most of these who spoke expressed the opinion that the school should be erected in a. more central place, so that children from Hataitai could attend. One hovt&eholder said "It was in the right, place before, hut it i« in the wrong place now:" The Court of Appeal wa6 occupied this afternoon in hearing an appeal from a. decision of Mr. Justice Edwards in the caou of Heathoote. Beetham William*., Dudley Bruce, Hill, and Arthur Spry Uwuvas Carlyon, all of Hawkes Bay, v. Miriinar, Ltd., a claim for t»pecih"c perfoniiance connected with Wonderland at Miramar.