EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 684, 10 July 1882, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London. June 29.

A banquet was given last night by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce in honor of the Victoria and New South Wales Commissioners to the International Wine Exhibition. The President of the Bordeaux Commission, in proposing the healths of the colonial representatives, comma;ulated the colonies on the creditable display made, and expressed surprise at the strength and yield of Australian wines. Included in the list of toasts proposed was that of the Argus , as the advocate of free-trade in Victoria. Baron do Lesseps has purchased the Panama railway, and it is now understood that a canal across the Isthmus will be completed by the original date. London, June 30. Miss Helen Taylor has been condemned to pay damages to the amount of LI,OOO for libelling Mr Thomas Sorntton, exmanager of St. Paul’s Industrial School, and member of the London School Board. London, Julyl. The Bedouins threaten to destroy the Suez Canal in the event of British intervention. England and India will each send 10,000 troops. London, July 2. The Repression of Crime in Ireland Bill has passed through committee of the House of Commons, excepting the new amendments, after a sitting occupying thirty-two hours, during which sixteen of the Irish members, including Mr Parnell, who persistently obstructed progress, were suspended under the Standing Orders from taking part in the debats. This occurred in the morning, and eight other offenders were suspended at night, and likewise ordered to withdraw. At one time it seemed like’y that the sitting would be protracted until Sunday morning. Several scenes took place, owing to the obstinate attitude of the Home Rulers, and it was not until twenty-two of them had been excluded that any progress was made and a long sitting terminated.

On Wednesday last Sir Henry Parkes and his daughter attended a grand concert given at Buckingham Palace. On the following day Sir Henry saw the Lords of the Admiralty respecting the present transfer of H. iI.S. Wolverine to the Government of New South Wales, and also in reference to other matters connected with the naval department at Sydney and the defences of the colonies. He subsequently received a public address from the residents of Stonoleigh in Warwickshire, Sir Henry’s native place. He made a brief speech in reply. On Friday Sir Henry had an interview with Miss Florence Nightingale in reference to hospital matters, and afterwards saw Lord Derby. Sir Henry and Miss Parkes then proceeded by train to Plymouth, where Sir Henry was presented with an address by the corporation of that town. Members of the corporation accompanied Sir Henry and his daughter on board the John Elder and bade them farewell. The John Elder sailed the same afternoon for Australia.