ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 83, 6 April 1878, Page 4

ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

The Prince of Wales was present at the Royal Geographical Society's reception of Mr Stanley, in St. James's Hall, on the 7th instant. Cleopatra's Needle has been placed upon the embankment of the Adelphi Steps. A steam car has been tried with great success in South London. A Russian paper states that during a recent visit of British naval officers to Vladivostock all works were suspended by the authorities. A statement has appeared in the Morning Advertiser, showing that there is still great laxity in the carriage of gunpowder on board merchant ships. A [French vinegrower asserts that the planting of strawberry plants among vines is a certain cure for the phylloxera. The silk-weavers of Lyons are organising a movement for resistance against the reduction of wages imposed hy the masters. The asylum for women and children at Tientsin has been burnt. Over two thousand peaished. Twelve persons were killed, and a number injured, in an attempt to escape from a circus at Calais, on a false alarm of fire. A few days later a panic, from a similar cause occurred at the Globe Theatre, Glasgow, when twenty persons were injured. The notorious Madame Rachel is under remand, charged with victimising the wife of a stockbroker of a quantity of jewellery, under pretence of providing her with enamel for her face. Tom Pat, a Chinaman, who defrauded Lord Charles "Beresford of £14,000 by forgeries extending over several years, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. An unsuccessful .attempt was made to upset the mail train with English mails between Calais and Boulogne on the 3rd inst. The house of Captain Goldsworthy, near Eedruth, Cornwall, was nearly destroyed hy an explosion of dynamite on the 22nd ult. The offender is unknown. An endeavor to blow up the house of a brickmaker at Manchester was made by some Unionists, but failed. Several arrests have been made. A deputation from numerous Chambers of Commerce throughout France has given evidence before the Senatorial Committee of Inquiry into the cause of the depression of trade, to the effect that the present Customs duties are inadequate to enable French industries to struggle against foreign competition. In consequence of the critical aspect of European affairs, the disputes the between Hungarian and Austrian authorities in reference to Customs duties were adjusted, and the Austrian Cabinet, which had resigned, resumed office. The German Parliament was opened on the 6th. The Emperor was not present, nor Bismarck. The speech stated that it was hoped a speedy peace would cause the principles of the late Conference at Constantinople to be applied, and directly established. King Humbert, of Italy, has granted an amnesty to all persons charged with political or Press off ences . He has ordered the sale of 1000 of the late King's horses to pay his debts, and is reducing the household expenditure. Owing to the crowding in Milan Cathedral at the King's funeral, five lives were lost and eleven persons seriously injured. Prince Amadeus has resumed the command of the army corps in Home. A new tariff bill, reducing many duties 20 per cent, has been introduced into the American Congress. The number of articles to be taxed is limited to 500.