EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1383, 18 November 1884, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, November 3. When the Mahdi recently summoned General Gordon to surrender be replied that he would not even if he were menaced for ten years. The Pall Mall Gazette this evening expresses the opinion that the activity displayed by Victoria on the question of the federation of the Australian colonies is due to a desire to promote a protective policy throughout the colonies and to secure an ascendency in the proposed Federal Council. The Orient Steam Navigation Company have decided to declare no dividend for the past half year. Major-General Scratchley embarks for Australia en route for New Guinea on 20 ch inst. London November 5. Mr Gladstone yesterday laid the foundation stone of the new National Library Club, and in the course of his remarks said that some drastic measures were necessary to repress the obstruction of the Irish members in the House of Commons. The Tiohborne claimant, who was released on 20ch ult., still assarts that William Oreswell, who is confined in the Parramatta Lunatic Asylum in New South Wales, is Arthur Orton. The Right Hon Dodson, who has been raised to the peerage, has selected the title of Baron Monk Bretton. Sir F. Dillon Bell is preparing a written narrative of the negotiations which have taken place between the Agents-Generals of the Australasian colonies and Earl Derby with respect to the establishment of a British protectorate over New Guinea and other islands in the Pacific. Personally, Sir F. D. Bell is in favor of an agreement being entered into between England, France, and Germany, with reference to the Pacific islands. Mr Reid has been unsuccessful in his attempt to float the Adelaida Wharf Company in London. The report that General Wolseley had entered into negoti -tions with the Mahdi for the peaceful evacuation of Khartoum by General Gordon and the grrrison is denied in this evening’s papere. London, November 6.

The German Council of Ministers have approved of Prince Bismarck’s proposal to subsidise a line of mail steamers trading between Germany and the principal Australian ports. The attempt to float a Land Pastoral Company in London to work extensive properties near Mount Remarkable, in South Australia, has so far not proved a sucreas. The capital asked for was LSI)O,COD, but this amount raa only been partially subscribed, and it is uncertain how the shares will be allotted.

Jt is probable that either the Right Hon G. J. _S. Lefevre, member for Reading, cr Mr Leonard Courtney, member for Lis keard, will bo selected to fill the vacancy in the Ministry caused by the Right Hon H. Fawcett’a death, Earl Dunraven has withdrawn the motion of which he had given notice in the House of Lords, for an inquiry 'into the causes of the existing trade depression in England. Lord Granville assured the noble Earl that the reports as to the depression and distress had been greatly exaggerated. As the relief expedition proceeds up the Nile towards Khartoum the difficulty of navigation greatly increases. The latest advices declare that the boats used by the expedition are not unsuitable, but overl »den.