Special to " Star." '

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 29, 21 August 1884, Page 2

Special to " Star." '

FRANCE AND CHINA. GERMANY INSULTS THE BRITISH FLAG. eectkb's telegrams. London. August 17. An Australian wheat cargo has been sold at a decrease of Is on last sales. Business is Black. Granary wheat declined 2s. Shaw's cricket team will sail for Australia by the Orient steamer Garonne on September 17. It is expected that the hop harvest will be above the average. The reports that those of Greeley's expedition who were rescued resorted to cannibalism are now confirmed. The French Chamber of Deputies is discussing the probabilities of war with China. The Spread of cholera in South Italy is increasing, and numerous deaths are reported. Wallace Boss has issued a challenge to row Beach on the Thames for £500 a-side. The Times suggests that Hanlan* Boacli, Ross, and Turner should row a sculling race on the Thames in the autumn. The English harvest is abundant. In consequence of a threatened outbreak of hostilities, tho Canton harbour has been blocked with torpedoes. On Friday the betting on the sculling match, Hanlan v. Beach, was 5 to 1 on Hanlan. An offer has been made by a gentleman to back Wallace Ross against Beach for £1,000. News is to hand from Mexico that a conspiracy against the President, General Manuel Gonzales, has been discovered, and two generals of the army who were implicated have been tried and I shot.

Received August 21, 11.45 a.m. Hong Kong, August 14. The Chinese plenipotentiaries, whe have been negotiating with Patenotre, the French Minister, with a view of the settlement of the Franco- Chinese difficulty, have now left Shangai foi I'ekin, parleying having been abandonee as there was no prospect of au agreement being arrived at. It is now asserted thai the French Government has instructed Admiral Courbet forthwith to occupy Foochow. London, August 20. Intelligence is to hand from the wes coast of Africa that Dr Machtigal, tin German commissioner who had gone ther< on a special mission with Jthe Germai gunboat Moewe, has hoisted the Germai flag at Lieutenant Cameron's station a Binibia, and that the officers of the Moewi have pulled down the British flag a Bejerda aud hoisted the German standarc in its place. Tawhaio, thes Maori "King," had j farewell interview to-day at the Mansioi House wi*h Lord Mayor Fowler.