ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY MILES AN HOUR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9100, 19 March 1901, Page 1

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY MILES AN HOUR.

When the German Emperor was first called "The Young Man in a Hurry," the tide was meant as one of reproach ; but years and experience have somewhat modified his impetuous disposition, and now, if he is in a hurry at ,all, it is rather to promote the interests of his country, and, as he would say himself, the welfare of .humanity, than to magnify his own personal importance. This is very well illustrated by the encouragement he is giving to men of science, particularly' to those who are seeking to assist in the. development of the commercial and industrial resources of his Empire. His latest protege is Herr Rathcnau, who is devoting his attention to electrical railways, and it is hoped that during the . present year trains may be running on the military. line between Berlin and Zoraen at the rate of 160 miles an hour. The Minister of War, under the direction, of course, of the Emperor, has placed this line at the disposal of Herr Rathenau, and a number of prominent financiers have provided the necessary funds for the preliminary experiments. The carriages, which look like sleeping cars, have accommodation for 50 persons and are fitted with every possible appliance to ensure the comfort and* safety of the passengers. The Emperor has taken the greatest interest in all the details ,and lately granted a long interview with Herr Rathenau, in which the inventor explained the progress which bad been made, and the nature of his further proposals. A train running at 160 miles an hour would a year or two ago have been just the sort of plaything to amuse the "Young man in a hurry," but to-day his Majesty, besides taking it quite seriously, seems even more anxious to .use it in establishing commercial 'communication between the commercial centres of the Continent than in increasing the mobility of his vast army. It is a good augury for the peace of Europe that the man who was supposed to be bent on military aggrandisement is now applying himself to the encouragement of commercial acliievements. — Lyttelton Times.