LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2596, 31 December 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] I-jy Electric Telegraph—Copyright. THE ANNEXATION OF WESTERN PACIFIC ISLANDS. INSTRUCTIONS TO BRITISH COMMODORE ERSKINE. HOMEWARD SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. THE EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHERN SPAIN. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. December 31, 0.55 a.m.) London, December 30. In its issue this morning, the Daily Telegraph states that Commodore Erskine, commanding the Australian Squadron, has been instructed to hoist the British flag on Louisiado Archipelago island, Woodlark Island, Long Island, and Rock Island, if foreign warships threaten annexation in the vicinity of these groups. Arrived, yesterday, the Orient R.M.S. Garonne, from Melbourne, November 15. San Francisco, December 29. Arrived, yesterday, the steamship City of Sydney, with the inward mails dated Auckland, December 9. (Received December 30, 2.30 p.m.) Madrid, Decemher 29. Reliable details to hand show that at Albunuelas alone fully nine hundred lives have been lost by the recent earthquake. The town of Periana has been entirely destroyed by a landslip caused by the earthquake. [SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.] London, December 17. In political circles a rumor is current that Lord Sandhurst is likely to succeed Lord Loftus as Governor of New South Wales. It is rumored in diplomatic circles that Prince Bismarck, the German Chancellor, intends shortly to start on a traveling tour for the purpose of recruiting his health. A sensation has been created in Paris by a report that Bismarck shortly intends to visit that capital in reference to the action of Germany in annexing the islands in the Pacific. It is undei> stood to be the result of negotiations which have taken place between the English and German Governments, and which commenced in July last. In discussing the question of German annexation in the Pacific, a section of the London Press considers the annexation of New Guinea and several of the Pacific Islands by Germany to be inevitable. The Echo applauds the annexation, and the Observer writes approvingly of Prince Bismarck's intension to create populous German colonies in the Pacific. The only ground of objection taken is the possible influx of the criminal classes. The French cable between Zanzibar and Madagascar is to be completed by J une next, and it will then be extended to Reunion Island and the Mauritius. The action of the Reichstag in repealing the law empowering the authorities to expel priests from the empire is stated to have met with general condemnation throughout Germany. [SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.] London, December 26. The space for the New Zealand exhibits at the Colonial Exhibition, 18S6, has been increased to 1000 ft. The British Protectorate in New Guinea will probably be extended as far as Cape Nelson on the eastern coast. It is expected that France will occupy the New Hebrides shortly. December 28. A Colonial Trading Firms Company is projected here with a capital of £IOO,OOO. The shipment of frozen meat ex the steamship Potosi is being sold at 5Jd. Prince Bismarck has urged that the question of Egyptian finance should be taken into consideration at the present Conference. The New Zealand Loan is not received with favour.