ANNEXING THE NEW HEBRIDES.— DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3718, 15 June 1883, Page 3

ANNEXING THE NEW HEBRIDES.— DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.

OPENING OF AN INTERCOLONIAL BRIDGE IN AUSTRALIA. ACTIONS AT LAW IN NEW SOUTH AA r ALES. MELBOURNE. Thursday. The Agent-General in London telegraphs to the Government that he is arranging a deputation of the Agents-General to wait upon Earl Derby in regard to the proposed annexation of the New Hebrides. Ho apprehends that there will be a difficulty consequent upon an agreement that exists between England and Franco not to annex the Pacific Islands. The telegram further states that public feeling in London is opposed to a sweeping policy of annexation. The intercolonial bridge across the river Murray at Albury was opened to-day. Demonstrations took place at Albury, and addresses were presented to the Marquis of Normanby and to Lord Loftus. Among those present were members of the A r ictorian and New South AA r ales Ministries and Legislative Assemblies, the Judges and Mayors of the principal towns, with eight hundred invited guests. The National Anthem was sung by the shool children, and tho «treet3 of the town were gaily decorated. After the formal opening of tho bridge a banquet was given, at which fully a thousand persons were present, in tho railway sheds adjoining. Lord Loftus, in replying to the toast of his health, offered congratulations upon the junction of the A 7 ictorian and New South Wales railway systems. The Marquis of Normanby, replying to the toast of his health, expressed a belief that the first step of uniting the capitals by railways must end in the federation of tho colonies. The opening of tho Murray bridge passed off most successfully. This day. In the speeches delivered at the Albury railway demonstration yesterday frequent reference was made to the question of federation. Mr Service, in the course of his address, intimated that he would take an early opportunity of inviting New South Wales to consider a proposal for a political union with A'ictoria. The speech was warmly applauded. The Houses of Assembly have been successfully lighted with the Swan incandescent electric light.