EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1453, 11 February 1885, Page 3

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, February 1,

Arrangements are being made for holding an International Conference in London. It is expected that this Conference will define English and German boundaries of New Guinea.

The shares in the Anglo-Australasian Land Mortgage Company, of which Mr Reginald Brett, cf South Australia, is promoter, have only been partiallj subscribed. If is expected that the balance will be taken up by a syndicate. The attempt to float a Company for the construction of an ocean dock near p rt Adelaide having failed, shares are now. being offered privately. > London, F e h* 2.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has ap r proved of the proposal to create a Fiji Bishopric. The death is anncuncad of the Right Hon. Thomas t’Hagan, R.P., who was on two occasions Lord High Chancellor of Ireland.

London, Feb. 3.

The Western Pacific Conference to define the British and German boundaries of New Guinea will meet in London after the Congo Conference has closed. It rumuored that the Duke of Connaught is desirous of fceoomlhg Governor of New South Wales, succeeding Lord Loftus. Mr Gladstone is said, however, to be unwilling to give him the appointment.

The British Government have decided to abandon their intention of annexing the southern portion of New Guinea. This step has been decided upon in consequence of the New South Wales authorities objecting to contribute towards the increased expenses which annexation would involve.

The Hon Saul Samuel, Agent-General of New South Wales, denies that the British Government have determined to abandon thoir intended annexation fo the southern portion of New Guinea. He also states that the reported refusal of New South Wales to contribute towards the additional expenditure is unfounded.