General News.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4690, 18 January 1884, Page 2

General News.

Some months ago when entering the Bay the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamship Columbia was struck by lightning. The vessel was not injured as the conductor on the foremast conveyed the flash into the sea, but the forward part of the vessel was so powerfully magnetised by the current that alterations have to be effected. When running on certain courses the compasses are untrustworthy, and the movement of the wheel is sufficient to deflect them. Captain Sass, who is now in command of the Columbia, believes the steering chain and and the wheels they travel on have been magnetised by the electric current, and when the vessel reaches Caliao they will be changed. The magnets on board were all demagnetised and reduced to the condition of ordinary iron. The circumstance is rare, if not entirely new, and will attract the attention of seamen. Mr Ryder, embryologist of the United States Fish Commission; has solved the problem of the culture of oysters from artificially impregnated eggs. Australasian colonists are veritable carnivora. They consume 2791b of animal food per inhabitant annually, against only 111b a head by residents of the United Kingdom.

The Lord Advocate of Scotland baa refused to institute criminal proceedings against the Highland Railway Company for "breach of the old Scottish law regarding Sabbath observance by running trains on Sunday." To be sentenced to penal servitade for any lengthened period in Suva gaol is tantamount to capital punishment. The edifice having been erected in one of the swamps which form the special charm of Suva—from an undertaker's point o£ view —guardsitselfagainstovercrowdin&brthe simple process of killing off its inmates. An engine driver named Bevoji overwound the engine of a mine at Kingtffrer, in Victoria, oausing a tank to fall fronJthe poppet-heads to the bottom of the shaft, without, however, doing any serious damage. Soon after the occurrence Revolt was found dead, having committed suicide rather than bear the blame of his mistake. Some idea may be formed of the con* venience afforded by the Sydney tramways when it is mentioned that 96,653 fares were collected on the ears on Boxing Day. ? ;