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New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 6

• The American insurance scandals arc letling' us into secrets as to tin: way they' do business on the other side of the water. It would he interesting to know how the large policy-holders in the companies concerned regard the state of affairs. The organisation mainly affected asserts that every policy of more than £250.000 has, with one exception, been issued by itself. Mr. Wanamaker, of Philadelphia, is insured with it for £500,000. while Mr. O. AY. Vanderbilt is one of four men each holding a £250,000 policy. These are men whom the companies may well hope to sec long in the land of the living, as did a relative of O'Connell, who, after challenging the lawyer to fight a duel, found that lie held a valuable portion of his lands under lease for the term of O'Connell's life. Under these circumstances, he declared, ho could not afford to shoot him, unless O'Connell would first insure his life. The duel did not- take plaice. Mr. Walter Carr, of London, read a paper at the Institute of Marine Engineers recently in which he explained the details of ail invention which he has just patented for the pneumatic propulsion of ships. The chief advantages which lie claims are security from breakdown by injury to propellers, rudders, or engines, reduced first cost, increased cargo capacity, reduced cost for upkeep and engine-ioom staff, and freedom from vibration. The system is specially applicable, he declares, to vessels navigating shallow - and weed-obstructed waters. The increased . buoyancy caused by the absence of all machinery, paddles, screws, and rudder enables vessels fitted with, this system to navigate waters hitherto inaccessible.