TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1187, 18 December 1883, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGISH AND FOREIGN. London, Dec, 13

A meeting of persons interested in the late International Fisheries Exhibition was held at the Canon street Hotel last night. Much dissatisfaction was expressed at the awards, of, international prizes, and it was resolved that .a padutnjtion should , f wftit upon the, Government to protest against the.same. ( The issue of a loan,of £3,000,000 for the. New South Wales Government bearing interest at 4 per cent, was announced to-day. The minimum price is fixed at par. ft is reported that K.M.S. Raleigh will replace H.M.Si Nelson on the Australian station. Lord Derby, replying to a deputation with reference to the French annexation policy in Western Africa, said theques : tion was seriously occupying the attention of the Cabinet, He was unable to assert that France should not settle the, unoccupied or unclaimed territory on that coast. Mr Morley, speaking at Newcastle, said that the attitude of the Australian colonies, with reference to the annexation of islands in the Pacific, involves a most delicate, difficult and momentous question ; and he contends that whether their request is refused, or partly granted, and appeal will be made to England for Federation. The British men-of-war in Chinese seas are being placed on a war footing, with a view to protecting British interests. The Chinese Government are arranging for the protection of foreigners in Canton, in view of a probable outbreak of hostilities.

A naval engagement has taken place between the vessels belonging to the Haytian Government and steamers be*longing to insurgents, Severe losses and considerable damage was suffered by both sides,

The latest news from tho Soudan states that messengers have arrived *t Khartoum reporting that the false prophet, El Mahdi, is eacountering great difficulty in organising further attacks, owing to his heavy losses in recent engagements. Dec. 14. The Bight Hon W. E. M.P. for Bedford, addressed his constituents last night. In tho couise of his speech he said he was rejoiced \o hear of the proposed Federation of the Australasian colonies, and trusted Lord Derby would be able to accede to the request of the Australian Convention for the annexation of New Guinea and. the Pacific Islands. Arrived—Steamship British Queen f from Lyttelton, left October 27 th. Both Houses of Parliament have been summoned to meet for despatch of busi-. ness on February stb. . Paris, Dec. 14. Intelligence is to hand from Tonquin reporting that the King of Anam has been poißoned, and that his death hap been caused by conspiracy among the anti-French party in Anam. General Millot has received orders to proceed to Tonquin in command of two brigades comprising 3000 men. The forces in Tonquin will by these reinforcements be raised to a strength of 15,000 raeu. i ' ' Madrid, Dec. 14. Prince Frederick "William, the German Crown Prince, arrived to-day at Barcelona en route for Italy. Hong Kong, Dec. 13. Information has been received from Canton that the fortifications surrounding that city have been put in complete readiness to withstand an attack, if an outbreak of war should occur, and that strong bodies of troops are posted in the neighborhood of the city. Dec. 14. A report reached here that the usurper of the throne of Anam, who caused the late King to be poisoned, has re--1 fused to recognise the treaty which his ! predecessor made with the French Commissioner, M. Harmoud, and will declare war against the French. Cairo, Dec. 14. The latest intelligence to hand from Soudan is to the effect that the immense body of Arabs which El Mahdi recently had under his command bai greatly de-

creased, and that large numbers of bis adherents "are dispersing;, •. Later. A telegram has been received from the Governor \of Dongola, announcing that ho has received authentic information that Hicks Rjsha was not killed at the time his army wag "annihilated by the rebel Arabs, but succeeded in escaping, and is now at JBirkifc. intelligence from Soudan states that dissentions have occurred al; ameng the tribes t who ; were, leagued togetlie? under .Mahdj,. and that they are now returning to their former isolated condition.