TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1126, 15 January 1884, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, Jan, 10. Intelligence was received on the 7th instant that the Malagasies had accepted the French ultimatum, and agreed to cede the northern portion of Madagascar. It has not yet been confirmed. Later news states that France insists on the establishment of a French Protectorate on the whole island, and as the demand is objected to by the Malagasy Government, the matter is still unsettled.

The tenders for the city of Auckland loan of one hundred thousand pounds have to-day been opened. The total •mount offered was found to be £702,000. Tenders at £lO2 7s 6d will receive 5 per cent, of the allotment, and tenders above that amount will receive in full.

The Agents-General for the Colonies have been appointed vice-presidents of the Hygienic Exhibition. A difficulty in procuring the salmon ova has delayed the intended! shipment to New Zealand,

The leakage of the s.s. Duke of Westminster is increasing, and she is now exposed to a heavy sea. Jan. 11. John Herd and Uc, of Liverpool, traders in corn on a large scale, became insolvent, and have been arrested on charges of fraudulent dealing. Cardinal Manning, Archbishop of Westminster, is suffering from indisposition.

The salvage operations are being actively pursued on board the stranded steamer Duke of Westminster. The vessel has not yet been floated.

Tenders for the New Zealand loan of one million sterling, bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent, were opened today. The total amount offered was found to be five millions. Tenders at £IOO 5s will receive 54 per cent of the allctment, and those above that price will receive in full. The minimum fixed was £yß 10s.

The Hon Mr Childers, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has informed the Colonial Agents-General that the concession recently made to Spain in regard to dudes on wine will be extended to the Colonies. The communication states that the limit of thirty degrees of spirit strength must not be exceeded, but adds that Mr Childers will take into consideration the proposal of the AgentsGeneral that a sliding scale of duties should be adopted. Without any cause being assigned, Mr Thomas Archer, Agent-General for Queensland, has received intimation that he is granted three months' leave of absence, and that W. Hummaat is appointed acting Agent-General. The Rev Charles strong is living now at Heberstro, and will probably try to obtain a Glasgow pulpit. Jan. 12. It has transpired that the Chinese Government have virtually declared war against France, and all hopes of a peaceful settlement of the FrancoChinpse difficulty have been abandoned. It is understood that the French have already formed designs for an attack in force upon Canton, and it is expected that a movement thither will shortly be made by a large naval and military force. It is also reported that an immediate advance upon Bacninh will be made by the French array in Tonquin. Australian wheat, new crop, is offered at 44s ; buyers are willing to concede 435. Both Australian aud New Zealand wheats are firm at a slight advance. The Royal Geographical Society, it is relieved, is hesitating as to the propriety of acting in conjunction with the Geographical Society of Sydney in regard to the exploration of New Guinea, as it fears that the Colonial Government is anxious to unduly influence the formation and objects ot Powell's proposed expedition in other directions than those in which co-opera-tion is desired. Jan. 13. Great inducements are being offered to Frenchmen to emigrate to New Caledonia. A force of 84,000 rebels is reported to be advancing pgainst Khartoum, the garrison of which is in a mutinous condition. Hong Kong, Jan. 10. A force of 2000 Chinese troops is about to bo despatched to Hainan aj »

corps of defence for the island agamst a possible attack by the French naval force now stationed on the coast of Tonquin. Jan. 11. Li HuDg Ch*ng, Viceroy of China, has arrived at Canton, and officially notified the foreign consuls that the approaches to the Port of Canton are. to be forthwith blockaded by torpedoes, bat that a channel ninety feet wide will be left for the passage of vessels along the river. , r ,. r ' l ' ? *' ; "'t)i.Hwp^rfr 4 i2.

Intelligence is to hand from Khartoum, reporting that the military Governor has ordered eleven thousand civilians to evacuate the town. The isolated position of the garrison is causing some anxiety in consequence of a belief that an attack will be made upon the town by the partizans of El Mahdi. Ottawa (Canada), Jan. 12. In the course of a speech at Toronto, yesterday, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Governor-General of Canada, alluded to the proposed federation of the Australasian colonies, and expressed hopes that the project would be carried out, and that it would be as great a guccess as the federation of the provinces now forming the Dominion cf Canada had proved to be. ♦ AUSTRALIAN CABLE. Sydney, Jan. 11. True bills have been found Bgamst four of the seven prisoners who were arrested for the murder of Catherine Owens, at Waterloo, on December 26th. Brisbane, Jan. 11. Mr Griffith, Premier, has made a

statement of the policy of the Government, He announces that notice has been given to terminate the present contract with the BritisL-India Steam Navigation Company for direct service vith Queensland, and that in future immigration will be limited to a thousand monthly. It has been decided to make a change in the Agent-General-ship, The poll tax on Chinese will be increased, and the number allowed to arrive will be restricted. Trunk lines of railway will he extended,~ and a start will be made with a line from the Gulf of Carpentaria,