was opened yesterday morning, the competition being the N. R. A. medal. The 300 yards range was completed and the following scores were recorded Corp. Champion Gunner Lynch Pte. Pence The new Bisley targets were used. Seven-inch bull at tw hundred yards.
Sin,—Since you have kindly consented to re-open the compass-and-oil controversy, allow me to put in another word inst the theory evolved by the captain and 2nd Officer of the s. s. Chingping, regarding the alleged molecular or electromagnetic effect of the fumes of kerosene oil on the iron of a ship to the detriment of the accuracy of her compasses. Apart from the pertinent question involved, how exactly such a remarkable physical action would take place, I can but reiterate my previously expressed opinion that such disturbing influence, had it existed, would have been discovered ago. would not be difficult to" discover traces or fumes of Kerosene oil (used for lighting, cleaning, lubricating,—etc.,) in the immediate neighbourhood of many of the most delicate magnetic needles in magnetic observatories, physical laboratories, etc., where deflections to the extent of one-hundredth part of what the navigator considers his vanishing-point are Accurately observed and registered. To
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.