NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2612, 23 May 1877, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

B3EtITIES.

Captain Boyton has succeeded in crossing the straits of Messina in his marine dress. His exploit was witnessed by many notables. He was attacked by a shark, but escaped with slight contusions inflicted by the brute's tail.

There has been some excitement in Paris over a rumored Bonapartist conspiracy, it having been stated that the

Prince Imperial had landed at Toulon coming from Italy. A prosecution against a newspaper has been instituted for having published false ne< r!'.

Some swindlers in Span W-v-a been endeavoring to obtain mo;<.*y IV-.>u» persons in Scotland by promi.s tig tf> reveal the whereabouts of large quintiiie,-; of hidden treasuro. The French Mini.'fci-r has complained of similar attempts at fraud, and the Spanish Government has been communicated with, with a viiv lo put an end to the proceedings.

A complimentary dinner has been given to Alderman W. F. R. Cotton and Mrs Cotton at Willis's ..Booms by ladies and gentlemen of the dramatic profession. Amongst those who sent apologies for non-attendance was Mr B. L. Farjeon, who is well known in New Zealand as the author of " Grif " and other tales.

The Duke of Manchester has been invested with the order of St. Patrick in Dublin Castle.

At a meeting convened by the Mayor of Cork on requisition the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:— "That the proposed Sunday Closing Bill, if passed, would inflict a vast amount of inconvenience and hardship on the working class, who now use public-houses on Sunday." " That the passing of the bill would lead to a great increase of illicit tippling in unlicensed houses and low beer houses."

At the Leeds Police Court, Mr Jenkinson, a member of the Hospital medical staff, has been prosecuted by the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for-'cruelty to a cat, by striking it with a poker. It was found that the skull of the cat had been fractured, and the offender was fined £5. The magistrate considered the act a rery cruel one, especially on the part of an educated man. The extensive marine engineering works at Lancefield street, and ship building yard at Govan, Glasgow, with buildings and fixed tools and machinery, the property of Messrs Robert Napier and Sons, and the good will of their business, have been sold by auction. Dr. Anderson Kirkwood was the purchaser, for a client. The upset price was £250,000. The Home News, referring to a paper on "The Climates of our Colonies," by Mr Symons, read before the Koyal Cplonial Institute, says "the Eucalyptus globulus (blue gum) Will not stand an English winter, save such a mild one as last." It will certainly stand much cold, as it flourishes in many parts of Otago.