EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 990, 9 July 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

[Pers.s. Te Anau at the Bluff.] [“Age ” Specials ] London, June 26. Mr Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, has communicated with the authorities and has pointed out that Victorian debentures afford an excellent and safe means of investment for funds re-ained in Chancery. The Anamese are busily engaged making preparations for the renewal of ho-tilities with the French troops. The former have retired to which place they have surrounded with trenches. Owing to the paucity of numbers the French Generals consider it unwise to renew the attack upon the enemy at present, and are awaiting the arrival of reinforcements which have been despatched by the Government.

Mr Fawcett, Postmaster-General stated in the House of Commons last night that he would shortly introduce a Bill, the object of which would be the extension of the Postil orders in the colonies. .

At Damietta every precaution is being taken by the authorities to prevent the further spread of the disease. Cordons have been drawn around the infected places, and all persons suffering from the plague have been placed in close quarantine. In consequence of the belief that contagious diseases are widely disseminated by ministers of religion visiting the different prisons and hospitals, orders have been issued forbidding them to enter these institutions.

The severe storms which have recently prevailed in the south of England, have done an immense amount of damage ?to the hop crops, and fears are entertained that the harvest will be a poor one.

Lung Chang, Commander of the South China' troops stationed at Shanghai, is leaving that town -with a large force.

The German Government has declined to interfere between France and the Anamese, and has suggested to the Chinese that they should ask Russia to mediate in the matter.

The Hong Kong sales of Foo Chow tea show a marked improvement, and prices for tea generally are advancing.

The German . Government has despatched a medical commission to Egypt to settle the doubt existing as to whether the disease is cholera morbus or not. The spread of the disease in different parts of Egypt is causing the greatest alarm in the south of Europe, and the Governments of France and Italy have put in force the most stringent quarantine regulations, at Carthage, Iberia, and Port Said. Trade is completely paralysed. The epidemic is spreading with alarming rapidity, and has mw reached Malta and Brindisi, and quarantine regulations are consequently being strictly enforced at both of these places. In Malta 21 persons were found to be infected, and have been isolated, and three patients at Brindisi have been placed in quarantine. The ravages made by the plague are of such an extensive nature that the reside >ts of infected localities are fleeing away in all directions, and a perfect panic prevails. Lord Sidraouth’s postponed notice of motion in connection -niih the naval defences of the various colonies will be brought before the House of Lords on Thursday next.

London-, July 1,

At a meeting of the Cricketers’ Association yesterday the proposal of Mr Alexander, of Melbourne, to send an Australian team of cricketers to England was discussed. The scheme was generally regarded as practicable, but the Association refused to accede to the terms submitted by Mr Alexander, and a motion was carried that the Association was, however, resolved to support the proposal on condition that Mr Alexander should agree to accept, on behalf of his team, onehaif the money taken at the gates. Sir Vernon Harcourt, the Heme Secretary, intends to introduce a Bill into the House of Commons for the purpose of creating a Board of Trade in Scotland. The Bill confers upon the proposed Board powers similar to those exercised by the kindred institution in England, and also declares that the president of the Board shall have a seat in the House of Commons and be a member of the English Cabinet.

London, July 3.

In the House of Lords yesterday, Lord Leamington submitted his motion in connection with the annexation of the islands of the Pacific, and in the course of a long speech he strongly condemned the proposal. Earl Carnarvon followed on the other aide and warmly supported the proposed annexation, upon the successful carrying out of which he considered the essential welfare of the Australian Colonies depended. He referred to the abus a which were being practised on natives by the Queensland planters, and urged this as an additional reason why the islands should be brought under the protection of the British Crown. He also pointed out that if England refused to endorse the action urged by the Australian Colonies in regard to annexation, it was prpbable that the territory would be seized by some European power, which might within a short period, be hostile to England. Lord Derby, Secretary of State for the Colonies, opposed the views urged by Earl Carnarvon and remarked that though much stress had been laid upon the danger arising from foreign annexation, the English Government would consider such a step as an hostile act on the part of any nation. He was also of opinion that before the Governments of the Australian Colonies suggested or desired any powers of annexation they should become federated and thoroughly in unison on the subject. With respect to the cruelties which the natives of these islands were alleged to have been subjected to by the Queen land planters, he said that an Order-in-Council was in course of preparation which it 'was hoped would have the effect of suppressing the abuse complained of. The London press this morning expresses approval of the action taken by the Government. In reply to Sir M. Hicka-Beach, Mr Gladstone stated in the House of Com. mens last night that the Government were prepared to offer every facility for the discussion of the proposal to accept Baron de Lesseps’ terms in connection with the construction of a second Suez Canal. Mr Gladstone suggested that Sir M. Hioks-Baach should submit a definite motion on the subject, and ample time would then be allowed for debating it. Mr Parnell and his followers are jubilant over the return of Mr Healy, the Home Rule candidate and proteg6 of the Irish National League, for Monaghan.

A rumor has gained currency that in the event of Mr Redmond’s returning to Ireland a warrant which is pending against him will be enforced.

London, July 3. The authorities at Suez have announced that in order to facilitate the navigation of the canal under the existing quarantine regulations, they will make special arrange* ments for providing vessels with pilots. A floating lazaretto hospital has been provided at Port Said for the reception of per-ons infected with cholera. The ravages of the plague at Damietta are on the increase, and a fearful panic prevails. The number of deaths since the disease broke out has averaged 100 per day, and the utmost efforts of the authorities appear powerless to check its progress. The European Powers join in censuring ihe English Government for what they consider culpable neglect on their part. They asaertythat the responsibility of taking precautions to prevent the 'further -pread of the plague rests with England, as she has assumed the exercise of certain control over the internal affairs of • that country. A report having gained currency that the plague had its origin in India, whence it was conveyed to Egypt, Earl Granville has officially declared that there is ,no truth whatever in the report.

F ill particulars of the bombardment of Tamitave have now been received. It ap* pears that the Hovaa made no attempt to respond to the French fire, but retreated without disorder. During the bombardment no subjects of other countries were injured, though (some damage was done to English and American property. As soon as the French obtained possession of the town, Admiral Pierre established a garrison, in which he stationed a force of 500 men. The Hovas completely abandoned the k town and retreated into the mountainous interior, with the evident object of remaining there until they received reinforcements. The French residents at Antananarivo have been expelled from that city, but as they hare not reached the coast it is feared that they have been murdered by the natives upon the journey. The Russian Government have officially announced that they will take no action in regard to the hostilities going on be* tween the French and the Anamese.

Earl Granville has expressed his opinion that the claim brought forward by Baron de Lesseps to a monopoly in connection with the Suez Canal is unimpeachable.