LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN

Kumara Times, Issue 2576, 6 December 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN

INTELLIGENCE. m [REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. >—<- BRITISH FRANCHISE BILL, REDISTRIBUTION OP SEATS BILL. THE CHRISTMAS RECESS. COST OF BRITISH EXPEDITION TO BECHUANALAND. THE REPORTED DEATH OF EL MAHDI. ARRIVAL OP COMMANDER OF EXPEDITION TO BECHUANALAND. CONFERENCE ON CONGO AND NIGER RIVER QUESTIONS. THE WRECK OF THE SHIP BERENGARIA. CAPTAIN AND SIXTEEN OTHERS MISSING. CHOLERA AMONGST THE CREWS OF THE FRENCH FLEET AT FORMOSA ISLAND. NEW ZEALAND INWARD MAILS. (Received December 6, 1.10 a.m.) London, December 5. The Franchise Bill was under consideration in the House of Lords yesterday, and passed through committee. In the House of Commons last night the Redistribution of Seats Bill was read a second time. Parliament will reassemble, after the Christmas recess, on the 19th February. In the House of Commons last evening in reply to a question, the Hon. A. Evelyn Ashley stated that the Cape Colony would not be called upon to bear any portion of the cost of the expedition to Bechuanaland. The Colonial XJnder-Secretary also stated that the Imperial Government would not assent to the settlement of Bechuaiuiland as effected by the Cape Government. Cairo, December I. No intelligence has been received here confirming the report that the Mahdi is dead, as stated by the Mudir of Dongola. Capetown, December 4. Colonel Warren, who has been appointed to the command of the British expedition to Bechuanaland, arrived here to*day.

Berlin, December 4,

The deliberations of the International Conference on the Congo and Niger questions have not yet terminated. It is believed in well-informed circles that the Powers will accede to the British claim of protection over the country adjacent to the River Niger.

[special to press association.]

London, December 2

In the House of Lords, to-day, Lord Derby stated that the Government were pledged to introduce the Federation Enabling Bill.

Mr James A. Froude will sail for Australia on Saturday next. The ship Berengaria, bound from Melbourne to Sunderland, struck on a rock and sank off the coast of Essex. Eleven of those on board were rescued, but the captain and sixteen others are missing.

December 3

The cholera has broken out amongst the crews of the French fleet stationed at the Island of Formosa. The new Postmaster-General has decided that all mails for New Zealand shall be sent alternately by the San Francisco route and direct steamers.

M. Ferry’s party have been defeated in the Chamber of Deputies on the Senatorial elections.