EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1005, 21 November 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, Nov. 8. The report that the French forces in Tonquin had occupied the towns of Sontay and Baoninh without opposition has proved to be unfounded. Anexplosionof firedamp, which occurred yesterday at Monkfieid Oolleries, Accrington, Lancashire, resulted in the death of sixty miners. The remains of the late Sir William Morgan were interred to-day in Bedfordshire. The cortege was a very large one, a number of colonial representative men being present. A banquet was given last night at the Langham Hotel to Mr James Mo Bain, one of the Victorian Executive Commissioners of the Amsterdam Exhibition, and a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. The host was Mr Simon Fraser, late member of the Legislative Council for Rodney. The affair was most successful, several well-known Australian colonists being amongst the guests. A correspondent of the Stardard yesterday had an interview with M. Jules Ferry, the French Premier, with a view to obtaining an authoritative intimation as to the course which France intends to pursue relative to INew Guinea and New Hoi rides. M. Ferry denied that the French Government had any intention of interfering with New Guinea. In reference to the New Hebrides he asserted that France was determined to maintain neutrality as to those islands, in accordance with the understanding arrived at with England some time ago. London, Nov. 11 The committee appointed to enquire into and report upon the beat means for the regulation of the labor traffic in the Western Pacific have sent in their report. The result of their enquiries and the nature of their recommendations have however transpired.