EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1093, 6 November 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, Oct. 26. Earl Derby has writ'.eu a letter to Mr Murray-Smith explaining the ‘ reasons which iunuced the Imperial Government to refuse to accede to the petitions for annexation submitted on behalf of the Australian colonies. He refers to the Annexation and Federation Conference which is to be held in Sydney next month, and states that, should the Conference unanimously affirm the desirability of annexation in the direotio 1 proposed, the Imperial Government will be prepared to reconsider their decision. Lord Derby, however, declines to suggest conditions under which the annexation should beeffe;ted, and expresses his inability to furnish an estimate of the expense involved in executing the proposals referred to in hia despatch of the 11th July. Lord Derby has prohibited the expedition originated by General Molvor for the purpose of colonising New Guinea. In consequence of the threats uttered by the dynamite pirty in Canada against the Marquis of Lansdowno, the authorities have exercised vigilance. The additional precautions taken led to the discovery in Qua’ ec of a dynamite plot to assassinate his Excellency on his arrival. Mr Murray-cimith, Victorian AgentGeneral, has selected four gentlemen whose names he will submit to the Victorian Government as suitable for the appointment of Chairman of the new Railway Board. London, Oct. 28. In spite of the prohibition issued by the Imperial Government against General Mclvor attempting to further hia scheme for the colonisation of New Guinea, the promoter still continues making preparations for the development of his proposal. He has now purchased a steamer for the transport of intending colonists to that country.

Marquis Tseng, Chinese Ambassador in Paris, has entered a formal protest against the French making an attack upon the town of Bacninh, Tonquin, at a time when negotiations were pending between France and China with a view to a peaceable settlement of the Anam difficulty. It is reported that Monsignor Capel, an illustrious prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, is to be appointed to succeed the late Archbishop Vaughan at Sydney. The Bonapartist faction in Paris intends to bring an impeachment against M. Ferry, the French Premier. The barque Mirzapore, stranded at Boulogne on the French Coast a few days ago, when on a voyage to Melbourne, lies in a precarious position.

Rumors, which have gained some consistency, are current here that jit is the intention of the King of Portugal to abdicate at an early date, but the news requires official confirmation. London, Oct, 29. Telegrams have been received here from Jamaica reporting that an extensive and disastrous fire has occurred at Port Antonio, in that island. The flames spread with great rapidity, and almost the whole town was burnt to the ground. Berlin, Oct. 29. Xntoine, the member for the City of Metz in the German Reichstag, who was

recently arrested on a charge of high treason in consequence of hia writings, haa been released by order of the Government,