TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1121, 14 July 1883, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN London, July 18.

The Joint Committee of the Lords and Commons appointed to report upon the desirability of the projected channel tunnel, arrived at a decision to-day after hearing voluminous evidence. Upon subsequent deliberation, a majority of the Committee decided against the project as being inexpedient and calculated to prejudice important national interests.

In the House of Lords last night Lord Derby, Secretary oLState for. tbs Colonies, declared that it would be impossible for the Imperial Government to maintain a navy sufficiently powerful to afford complete protection to the whole Australian coast, In the House of Commons Sir Stafford Northcote, leader of the Opposition, in the course of a speech upon the defence of the Colonies, declared that no scheme for strengthening the naval defence of the Colonies would be acceptable which might tend to localise any portion of the Imperial navy. In replying to a question in the House of Lords, Earl Granville stated that England and France would respect their agreement regarding the New Hebrides group, and would not annex the islands. lenders for the Western Australian loan of £254,000 were opened to-day } and only amounted to £96,500, ranging from to 99.

July 11

In the House of Commons last night, Mr Gladstone has announced that in - telligence had reached the Government of a grave occurrence at Tatnatave, Madagascar, a town which has been in the occupation of the French forces tor the past few weeks. While the British Consul at Tamatave was lying ill, his Secretary was arrested by order ot the French Commander, and the Consul was peremptorily ordered to quit the town within twenty hours. Before that time elapsed, however, the Consul died. The French invited the officers of Her Majesty’s ship Dryad, lying in port, to attend the funeral. Several officers came ashore for the purpose, and when the ceremony was ended they wefb forbidden to re-erabark, and were compelled to remain ashore. Mr Gladstone concluded by stating that the occurrence was of such a serious nature, that the Govexnraent demanded immediate explanations from the French Governmedt.

It is announced that Mr Childers, acting on behalf of the British Government, has signed an agreement with Count de Lesseps, for the construction of a second canal through the Isthmus of Suez, parallel to the present one. The work is to be completed by 1888. England will provide the required capital of £8,185,000. The agreement provides for a reduction of tolls levied lyr the present Canal Company.

At the inquiry before the Admiralty Court into the collision on April 24th between the ships British Commerce and County Aberdeen, in which the former was cut down and sunk, the decision given held that the master of the O British Commerce was to blame for the accident.

The English Government guarantee funds and land to provide capital for the construction of a second mini across the Isthmus of Suez on condition that Baron De Lessepa reduces the tariff and appoints a British naval officer as inspector of navigation, and gives precedence to English pilots. July 12.

In the House of Lords last night Earl Canarvon referred, in the course of speech, to the proposed annexation of New Guinea, and strongly urged the Government to accede to the request of the Australian Colonies. He declared that the annexation of the island by Great Britain wou'd ultimately become inevitable.

The Court of Enquiry into the collision between the ship Hurunui and the barque Waitara attribute the cause of the disaster to the neglect of the captain and second officer of the Waitara.

Lord Dufferin has been enterUiivd at a banquet at the Empire Club. In reply to the toast of his health, Im said

that he was confident the Colonies would always adbsre to Great Britain if they were properly treated. The Irish Land League announced that they have been advised that the Brothers Redmond expect to totally crush any opposition whibh they might meet in Melbourne.

The English Press complain that England’s control of the Suea Canal is unsecured, The French are jubilant. It is mentioned that the Bishop of Lincoln intends to resign.

Pauii, July 10.

In the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, .jußill was ‘introduced authorising the construction of a bridge (sic) across the English Channel,

Capetown, July 10

Intelligence is to ham! from Zululand that a severe engagement has b.-eu fought between the followers of Gateway o and those of Oh am. The latter were completely defeated, and Ohara himself was taken prisoner.

San Francisco, June 10,

The homeward New Zealand and Australian mails from Auckland (left June 19tb), arrived yesterday, three clays in advance of contract time.

New York, July 10. This season’s American wheat crop is estimated at 425,000,000 bushels.

AUSTRALIAN CABLE

Melbourne, July 11

The question of the annexation of New Guinea and the Pacific Islands is receiving a large amount of public attention in this city, An address to the Queen was passed unanimously to-day by both Houses of Parliament supporting proposed annexation by the Imp* rial Government or ihe establishment of a protectorate, and announcing that the colony of Victoria was willing to pay its share of the expenses thereby incurred. The Mayor of Melbourne has called a public meeting with the view of obtaining from the citizens an expression of opinion in support of the project.