GENERAL NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5084, 18 October 1894, Page 1

GENERAL NEWS.

» At the beginning of September, tropical heat was prevailing in the Austrian capital, and a few days cost the lives of many Boldiers. In Korneuberg, near Vienna, 100 soldiers on the march were attacked bysnnstroke, and eight died. In Gratz six soldiers died of heat apoplexy, twenty-six fell senseless, and several lives were in danger. In Budweis no less than 168 reserve men fell senseless in the town, after exhausting manoeuvre?, while four died. In Temesvar eight soldiers died of heat apoplexy. A powder factory haa been started at Tamsui (China), with the result that three explosions have already taken place, and several lives loat. " Judging from the past," says the consul, " the manufacture and preparation of warlike stores seems likely to act as a permanent check on the population of North Formosa, owing to the incurable carelessness of the workmen." A new electric search-light which has been established at Sandy Hook, New York Bay, is said to be the most powerful in the world. The greatest intensity is 194,000,000 candle-powef. It is claimed that a person will be able to read a news* paper 10 miles distant by the light, and that the rays may be seen at a distance of over 100 miles. Vessels can be detected over 20 miles away, and men-of-war distinguished 8 miles. It is constructed especially for coast defence, and intended to be placed so far inland that no shot from an enemy can reach it. The intensifying power of the mirror is 4250. The average intensity of rays of the electric arc acting on the mirror is 45,600 candlepower, and the product of both gives the immense value of 194,000,000 candle-power. By means of electric motors and switches the search-light can be controlled, so that the beams of light can be turned in any direction. For signalling or telegraphing it-can be so arranged as to give flashlights at any desired interval. The whole apparatus stands on top of a specially conetructed tower 100ft above the sea-level. . Anglo- Australian writes: — I observe that somebody in New Zealand has suggested in a speech that a useful way to advertise the colony would < be to place placards at the railway stations in the United Kingdom. Evidently this gentleman is nob aware of the fact that the New Zealand Government has for some time paßt exhibited a tourist-map poster at quite one hundred of the prinoip&l railway stations in England, which poster, owing to. its attractive design, cannot fail to command special notice. The New Zealand Shipping Company, rightly recognising that their prosperity is closely allied to the welfare of the colony, have also issued a large and artistic poster, which, besides embodying a map of New Zealand,, gives well - executed pictorial sketches, representing 1 the sports, pastimes, scenery, and productions of that colony. As a proof of the widespread attention which this placard has attracted I ana informed that since its exhibition at a thousand different railway stations, ttte New Zealand Shipping Company has received nearly a thousand applications for copies from various schoolmasters, who wish to use it as effectively illustrating the geography, climate, and productions of that interesting country. I need scarcely add that tbe shipping company have kindly complied with these requests. Character in backs !— that is the latest idea. " Backology," in the opinion of a writer in Hearth and Home, "is greater than phrenology or palmistry. The typical John Bull back, burly, broad and bullnecked, the back that never knowa when it is beaten, is dying 1 out! Instead, we have the decadent back of a neurotic masculinity, narrow-shouldered, invertebrate, often— tell it not in Gath—supported by co) setp, and invariably propped up against the wall of a -ball-room until the hour of supper. The stooping back unmistakably betrajs a sedeatary pursuit, and may belong to a Btudent, a professor, a musician, writer, doctor, liwyer, architect, cleric, or clerk. Its curve, to the discerning eye, is totally different to that of the disappointed, broken-down man, tbe poor creature who bnce held „ his head high among his fellows, but has gone under in the struggle for life. A tragedy ließ in its pathetic droop, the saddest of all tragedies, a wrecked life. Of the feminine back the fair owners kindly afford us ample opportunities for Btudy by a liberal display. Expensive and well-dowered with too, too solid flesh is the dowagerial dos, while the spinal column of the unappropriated blessing of that dreadful age called •certain' generally presents a eeries of kiiobs, flanked by obtrusive shoulder-blade?, which recall to the reflective mind the wise womaa's counsel, " Suggest charms, never reveal them.' There is the immature back of the debutante, with sweet sixteen 1 s ' promise of May ' yet unfilled j the coquettish back of the em^rt young married woman, enhanced by the daintiest of toilettes ; the square-shouldered back of the hunting woman ; the beat back of the worker, and j of the many olive-branched, middle-class materfamiliap, with care and fatigue in its curving outline. But the prettiest and most seductive back of all is that of the sweet- and-twenty, when it is plump and creamy-complexiontd, with a distracting dimple laughing over the not decolletfe berthe of the gown." A Big Draw. — You will save 8d per lb by buying 2a 4d Himalaya tea at 19 8d per lb ; no reduction if you take a ton. Wardell Bros, and Co.— [Advt/] North Canterbury Eifle Club. — At a meeting held at the Junction Hotel, Rangiora, the other evening, it was decided to resuscitate the North Canterbury Rifle Club. The folio wing were appointed officers: —Patron, Mr D.Buddo,M.H.E.j president, Mr J. Sansoin; vice-presidents, RTocbts A. Y. Hay, M. Scott and J. Roberto; captain, Mr E. d'Auvergne; sub-c&ptain, Mr I). M'Kayj committee, Messrs C. Tyler, N. Andersen, A. Templor, W. Allan, Mf. Scotfc and H. Rule. The membership fee was fixed at 2s (3d on application for admission and 5s en election. The rules of the old club were adopted with plight alteration. Twenty-nine members were elected. Ihe fixing an opening day and other matters were left to another matting.