LATE CABLE NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1418, 17 May 1886, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

(Per s.s. Bingarooma, at the Bluff)

[BY telegraph.]

[“Age” Specials ]

LONDON, May?

Sir Andrew Clarke, Acting AgentGeneral for Victoria, has, in obedience to instructions from the Government of that Colony, lodged a strong protest with the Colonial Office against the proposed cession of the New Hebrides to France, In his protest Sir A. Clarke expresses surprise at the action of the Colonial Office in continuing to advocate the acceptance by the colonies of the compromise offered by France that convict transportation to the Pacific Islands shall cease in view of the steady and strong opposition of the colonies to the proposal. Sir A. Clarke I dda that the answer sent by the President of the Australian Federal Council expressing decided antagonism to the annexation of the islands by the French s final. It is stated in well-informed circles that amongst the recipients of the Birthday honours In the present year will be Mr James Moßain, President of the Legislative Council of Victoria, who, It is expected, will be knighted.

May 8,

A rumour is current that General Wolaeley and Lord Bereaford hare determined, in the event of Mr Gladstone’s scheme being adopted by the Parliament, to resign their commissions in tha Army and Navy respectively, In order to assist the Orangemen to oppose the introduction of Homo Rule into Ireland. The blockade of the Greek porta, of which notice was given the Greek Premier by the Charges d’Affairs of five of the Great Powers on tha Bth instant, has now been enforced. A pro'est has been made by Greece against the blockade, on the ground that it entails injury to commerce.

May 11

Mr James Mason, of Fiji, who is at present in England, has opened a fund for the relief of the distress occasioned by the recent hurricane, which devasted the Fiji Islands. The Russian Government have intimated their concurrence with the action of tha Combined Powers in blockading Greek porta, in order to enforce compliance with the demand that the Grecian forces should be disbanded. The Anglo-Spanish Convention will come into operation on the Ist July, and will continue in force until the year 1892. Residents of the old province of Cataloniaf In the north-east of Spain, hays stsongly oppQße4 tbs OpoTsntioo.