BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2464, 10 February 1881, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reuter’s Agency.j

The Ashantee Quarrel. London, Feb. 7

In the House of Commons to-day the Right Hon. Mr Grant Duff, Undersecretary for the Colonies, in reply to a question said that the Governor of the Gold Coast Culonj 7 had determined to resist the Ashantee demand for the surrender of the fugitive chief, ami was. making every defensive preparation in case of attack. legislation for Ireland.

Mr Gladstone announced in the House to-day that the Irish Land Bill would take precedence of all other business after the Coercion Bill had been passed.

The debate on the Coercion Bill was resumed. The proceedings were, in every respect, orderly, and the debate is progressing satisfactorily. It is now announced that it is the intention of the Government that the Irish Land Bill should, if possible, become law before Easter, and every effort will be made to bring about this result.

Caged, and on the Wins.

Michael Davitt will be exempt from hard labor during his imprisonment for the remainder of the term of his sentence.

T. W. Walsh, Land Leaguer, one of the traversers in the recent prosecution at Dublin, has started for Australia. A Sad Fate. A disastrous fire has broken out in a colliery at Tunstall, Staffordshire. Twenty colliers are entombed, and but little hope of rescuing them is entertained.