CABLEGRAMS. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT Reuter's Telegrams.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 February 1884, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH — COPYRIGHT Reuters Telegrams.

Received IM). 22, 7. p.m. HouAitT , Feb. 22. The New Zealund Shipping Company*, steamer ltuapclm arrived here yesU-rduy en route for New Zoalaiul, and coaled.

Sir (JliaB. Sleeden, M.L.IJ., who hsi« been ill for sumo tinio past, died to-day, aged James Service, Premier, received telegram from Murray Smith, Colonial AgentGononil, r.-poiting th.it the latter li.ul had an important interview with the Undersecretary of Colonial Office, regarding the federation of the Australian Colonies, Pacific Annexation, in the course of the interview, Kir .Robert Herbert announced that Her Majesty's Government had decided not to sanction any annexation of. Western Pacific Islands untiJ after the federation of the Australian v Monies had been accomplished, and that it would be necessary for the various Colonial Legislatures to adopt resolutions confirming the action o£ their delegates at the Sydney Convention before the Imperial Parliament could pass the necessary Enabling Act, which, however, would be prepared by the Imperial authorities, and which it was to lay before Parliament during the present session. Tin; Colonial Secretary urged that stops should be taken by the Colonial Governments to expedite the passage of the resolution above-men-tioned, and added that a guarantee by tho Colonies of £10,000 would secure the appointment interim High Commissioner* of her Majesty's Western Pacific.

Syixvky, Feb. 22. Seven gales accompanied by torrents of rain passed over Northern Queensland to-day. Disastrous floods causing iiiK mense damage to property. Four (stc.) inches of rain fell within 24 hours. Jho shipping along the coast also sustained severe damage from the effects of the gale.