SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 2387, 23 April 1884, Page 2

SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.

London, April 17. Mr Maurice Lyons is privately arranging to float a Northern Territory Pastoral Company of Australia. The leave of Mr Thomas Archer, Agent-General for Queensland, has been extended for three months. His successor will be appointed in June next. The Victorian guuboat Protector sails for Melbourne at the beginning of June. April 18. Mr Murray Smith reminds the Times that a conflict with France would be imminent if the colonies prevent convicts under the Recidiviste Bill from landing. He deprecated threats of warfare. The tenor of M. Ferry's note is endorsed and confirmed by the French Press. The Standard strongly condemns M. Ferry's treatment of Australia. The Pall Mall Gazette has an indignant article on M. Ferry's despatch, and asserts that the colonists are resolute men who will stand no nonsense, and that M. Ferry's policy will raise a formidable barrier to the extension of French power in the Pacific. April 19. M. D. Blowitz, the Paris correspondent of the Times, writes that M. Berenger's Bill now before the French Chambers, largely supersedes the Recidiviste Bill. If Berenger's Bill is shelved, the Senate will modify the Recidiviste Bill in several directions. April 20. The Spectator says that M. Ferry does not understand the eagerness of the Australian colonists in the Recidiviste question, or the nature of the danger it involves. Mr James, of Victoria, has patented a system of underground telegraph wires. It is understood that the Egyptian army will not be touched by the British proposals, which indicate a limited protectorate. The French press shows an increasing hostility to the establishment of a British Protectorate in Egypt, and rejoices over Sir Vernon-Harcourt's disavowal of any intention of annexation. The Premier of Manitoba has declared that that State will separate from the Dominion unless it is more fairly treated by the Federal Government. Sir Henry Loch sails for Victoria on May 28 th. Mr Gladstone has recovered his health. Oman Dignah has rallied 2000 men, and now threatens Souakiin when the British retire. The Observer says that the anger of the Australian Colonies on the Recidiviste question is natural and legitimate, and it denounces the folly of Fiance in persisting in the matter. It is reported that 300 refugees from Shendy have been driven on to a sandbank in the Nile and massacred. General Gordon will probably order Stuart and Power to escape across the equator.