CAUSE OF THE DAUPHIN CATASTROPHE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3745, 17 July 1883, Page 3

CAUSE OF THE DAUPHIN CATASTROPHE.

THE AGENTS-GENERAL AND THE

POSTAL UNION,

THE WAR IN ANNAM. —SEVERE

BATTLE, AND DEFEAT OF ANNAMESE.

DYNAMITE PARTY TO RE-COM-MENCE OPERATIONS ON MORE

EXTENSIVE SCALE,

COMMITTEE OF HOUSE OF LORDS APPROVE OF THE MERSEYMANCHESTER CANAL PROJECT.

STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN

AUSTRIA AND ROUMANIA.

SURPRISE AND INDIGNATION AT HOME GOVERNMENT REFUSING TO SANDTION PACIFIC ANNEXATION.

IRISH BISHOPS PROTEST AGAINST STATE ASSISTING EMIGRATION.

FRENCH JOURNAL URGES ANNEXATION OF NEW HEBRIDES FOR CONVICT SETTLEMENT.

FLOODS IN TONQUIN.—SUSPENSION

OF HOSTILITIES

LONDON,

July 4. The accident which occurred on Tuesday in launching the steamer Dauphin is attributed to the fact that the machinery was inserted before launching the vessel. Another reason assigned is that tho chains by which the steamer was eased into the water worked unsatisfactorily and with unequal action. From the latest reports it appears that 150 persons were drowned. I'orcy bodies have already been recovered. Efforts are being made to raise the Dauphin, but so far they have not succeeded. The Agents-General of tho Australian Colonies yesterday waited upon the members of the London Chamber of Commerce with reference to the action taken by the intercolonial postal conference at Sydney to I obtain admission to the postal union. * lfc was resolved that the Brisbane find Wellington Chamber of Commerce should be urged to press the importance of joining the uuiointpon their respective Governments. Sir F. D. Bull, for Now Zealand, and Mr Archer, for Queensland, promised that the suggLHt ioii alioidd bo acted upon, and that they would do all in their power to secure compliance ou the part of their Governments.

A reinforcement of 3000 French troops has arrived at Hanoi to strengthen the garrison established there. Upon their arrival hostilities were at once recommenced, and a severe engagement took phice between the forces of France and Anuam, resulting in the defeat of the Annamese, who suffered heavy loss. The French commander then set fire to the town, which was soon completely destroyed. M. Tricon, who was recently appointed French Minister to the Court of China, in place of M. Bourbel, has made another attempt to enter into negotiations with Li Hung Chung, the Chinese Viceroy, in connection with the Annamese difficulty. The latter, however, has declined to accede to any of M. Tricon's proposals, and has referred him to Pekin.

At a recent meeting of the Dynamite Party, held in New York, Sheridan whose extradition was demanded by England some time ago, and John Walsh, one of the secretaries of the Irish Land League, delivered violent addresses. They stated that the supporters of the dynamite policy had not abandoned their intention of enforcing their demands by means of explosives, and that preparations were being made to recommence operations on a more extensive scale than formerly.

The select committee appointed by the House of Lords to consider the proposal for a ship canal from tho Mersey to Manchester havo sent in their final" report, which emphatically approves of the scheme. Arrangements aro being made to give a grand representative banquet to Henry Irving, the celebrated actor, prior to his departure for New York. A difficulty has arisen between the Governments of Austria and Roumania in connection with the decisions arrived at by the Danubian Conference some months ago, and the relations between the two countries are very strained. The news that Mr Gladstone had refused to endorse the action of Queensland with regard to the annexation of New Guinea has caused a general feeling of surprise, and in some quarters indignation was expressed at what is regarded as an arbitrary and somewhat tyrannical exercise of power. Tho leading Australians in London are especially severe in their denunciation of the Gladstone Ministry, and the Premier has received numerous letters from representative men formally protesting against the course adopted by the Government.

It has been determined that the remains of the late Mr Spottiswoode, L.L.D., F.R.S., whose death was recently reported, shall be interred in Westminster Abbey.

Tho Bishops of the Roman Catholic Churches have drawn up a protest against the proposal that tho State should assist members of the poorer classes to emigrate from Ireland. They contend that State money might be better employed in rendering the Irish people's burdens lighter in the country of their birth. Mr Fawcett, the Postmaster-General, has determined upon cancelling the contract for the conveyance of mails between Mauritius and Aden.

The Le Pays, a journal published in Paris, urges that, in view of the refusal by the English Government to adopt a policy of annexation in the South Seas, France should at once place tho New Hebrides under French rule, and suggests that the islands might be used as a convict settlement for the reception of French criminals. Mr Smith, the Agent-General of Victoria, has written a letter to the Times this morning about the Queensland labor traffic. Ho seeks to shew that the reports which have been circulated with regard to the cruel treatment of Kanokas by Queensland planters are without foundation. Disastrous floods have occurred in the river Hanoi, in Tonquin, and a large portion of the fortifications erected by tho French were completely destroyed. Hostilities have for a time been suspended, as the swollen state of tho rivers prevent the French troops from following up the Annamese, who retired inland after the recent engagement. Mr Parncll has despatched a letter to Mr William Redmond approving of his candidature for the vacant seat for Wexford.

[Special to Press Association.]