LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4149, 8 November 1884, Page 3

LONDON.

By Electric Telegraph.—Coptiught,

(Reuters Telegrams.)

(Received November 7, 12.50 p.m.)

A disastrous boiler explosion occurred today at Bilston, Staffordshire. Four persons were killed and twenty injured. The jury in the trial of Captain Dudley, and Stephens, the mate, of the yacht Mignonette, for the murder of Richard Parker, roforred the case to the Special Court, and recommended the prisoners to mercy. The accused are now released on bail.

Tho Right Hon. Henry Fawcett, Post-master-General, is suffering from a severe attack of pneumonia. The tenders for the Melbourne tramways loan of half a million at 4| per cent, were opened to-day. The total amount offered was found to be £310,000. Later. Mr Fawcett died this afternoon, aged 51.

(Received November 8, 0.55 a.m.) November 7. In the House of Commons last night the Franchise Bill came up for consideration, and the second reading of the measure was moved by Mr Gladstone. It is currently statod here that direct negotiations for the settlement of affairs in the East have again been commenced by the French and Chinese Governments. The rumors that the British Government offered to mediate between France and China have proved to be correct, and an official announcement to that effect was made yesterday. In its issue this morning the Daily News publishes a telegram from its correspondent at Washington announcing the election of General Cleveland to the Presidency of the United States.