LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2509, 5 July 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL. HOMEWARD MAILS. THE OCCUPATION OF LANGSON BY FRENCH TROOPS. REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF FRANCE. BERBER AGAIN REPORTED AS FALLEN AND NOT FALLEN. (Received July 4, 10.10 p.m.) London, July 3. In the House of Commons to-day, Chamberlain, President of the Board of Trade, announced that he would not during the present session proceed any further with the Merchant Shipping Bill. ° The Homeward mails via San Francisco, dated Auckland May 27th, were delivered to-day. Paris, July 3. It has transpired that M. Ferry has informed his colleagues that the Chinese Government has not disavowed the action of its officers in opposing the occupation of Laugson by French troops; but, on the contrary, has admitted that it ordered the detention of the town, contending that the evacuation was dependent upon the ratification of the Treaty concluded at Tientsin by Ls Hung Chang and Captain Fournier, the French Commissioner. (Received July 5, noon.) July 3. The bill introduced by Government for the Revision of the Constitution in France lias finally passed both Chambers. Cairo, July 3. The report current here yesterday that Berber had fallen into the hands of the rebels is now proved to have been without foundation. Per Merchant Shipping and Underwriters Association :—Loudon, July 3. Arrived, the Waitangi, from Lyttelton, March 10th. [special to press association.] London, June 29. The German Reichstag has passed a bill making accident insurance compulsory. Admiral Courbet, who is in command of the French fleet in Chinese waters, will bombard one of the Chinese ports unless immediate reparation is made for the recent renewal of hostilities. June 30. Vessels leaving Marseilles have been refused clean bills of health, in consequence of the outbreak of cholera. Quite a panic prevails. Arthur Mills, in a letter to the Times, appeals to clergymen to proceed to Norfolk Island. Information from Cairo states that important tribes are joining the ranks of the Mahdi. Obituary—Lady Gorrie. Earl Derby is willing to immediately place a protectorote over New Guinea, and has promised to consult the Cabinet respecting the inclusion of other islands. The Agents-General will seek an early interview with Earl Derby on the matter. The Melbourne Harbor Five per Cent. Quarter of a Million Loan is announced. The Marquis of Normanby has been interviewed by a journalist, and, in reply to a question, he said that when federation was once settled all difiiculty in connection with annexation would vanish. A Freezing Company is being formed

at Smithfield, and it will be capable of storing 3000 tons of meat. They expect to commence operations next month, and low rates are to be charged. The Dock Companies are reducing their charges for storing frozen meat.