LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4136, 24 October 1884, Page 3

LONDON.

October 20. The Finance Committee have reported favorably on the cast of the Recidivisto Bill which was referred to them by the Senate for consideration. The Agents-General of the several colonies havo as yet settled nothing amongst themselves as to tho approaching interview with Lord Derby ; they aro now finally consulting their respective Governments. Tho cargo of frozen meat per lonic is in excellent condition. Tho right of succession to the Duchy of Brunswick will be decided by Germany.

The French Government deny that China gained a victory over their troops at Tamsui, and reassert their claims to having , gained the victory. October 21. Tho Melbourne Gas Company's loan of £197,000 has been floated. One hundred and eighty-eight tenders were sent in covering X! 07,200, the average is XIO2 0a -Id. will be represented at the colonial exhibition to bo held in London in 1886. Major General Scratchc)y will sail by the P. and O. steumer Ballirat on the 20th November. He will probably be allowed carle blanche to arrange with the Colonial Ministries respecting New Guinea. He will in all probability also, exercise a part control in the affairs of tho Western Pacific. General do Lisle in command of the French troops at Tonquin has made a demand for a further reinforcement of 10,000 men. The blockade of thrs Island of Formosa has been notified. A Iloman Catholic mission is proceeding , to New Guinea. 11.M.5. Lark, surveying vessel, has been recommissioned for the Australian station. October 22. Major - General Scratchley's salary has been fixed at £3000 per annum. The New South Wales loan has been largely paid up under discount. It is believed that the syndicate who secured upwards of half of tho amount of the loan have succeeded in disposing of it to the general public. Sir Saul Samuel and Major - General Scratchley, at theinvitationof the Admiralty, had an interview with Admiral Sir Ashley Cooper respecting the defence of the coal ports in the Pacific. Colonel Dowries, R.A., commander of the volunteer and military forces at Adelaide, has accepted retired pay with the rank of MajorGeneral. A syndicate is willing, upon the land grants system, to construct a railway between Bunbury and Beverly on the proposed Albany line (Western Australia) at a cost of £300,000. The Chinese are blocking by submarine mines tho Qα Kin, on which is situated tho town of Naug'-Po.

By Electric Telegraph.—Coriritioirr. [REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] (Received October 23, 2.10 p.m.)