LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4533, 16 July 1883, Page 2

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

(Via the Bluff.)

[Per Press Association.]

(Age Sfjscials.)

London, July 4.

The accident which occurred on Tuesday last in launching the steamer Daphne is attributed to the /act that the machinery was inserted before launching the vessel; another reason assigned is that the chains by which the steamer was eased into the water, worked unsatisfactorily, "and with unequal action. From latest reports, it appears that 100 were drowned; forty bodies have already been recovered, and efforts are being made to raise (he vessel, but so far they have not succeeded; the latest reports show that 150 persons lost their lives through the accident.

The Agents-General of the Australia! Colonies yesterday waited upon the members of the London Chamber of Commerce with reference to the action taken by the Intercolonial postal conference held in Sydney. It was resolved that the Brisbane and Wellington Chambers of Commerce should be urged to press the importance of joining the Union upon their respective Governments. Sir Dillon Bell, the JNZ. Agent-General, and Mr Archer, aeent for Queensland, promised that the suggestion should be acted upon, and that they would do all in their power to secure compliance on the part of their Governments.

A reinforcement of 3000 French troops has arrived at Hanoi to strengthen the garrison established there. Upon their arrival hostilities were at once re-com-menced. A severe engagement took place between the forces of France and Annam, and resulted in the defeat of the Annamese, who suffered great'loss. The French commander then set fire to the town, which was soon completely destroyed.

M. Tricon, who was recently appointed French Minister at the Court of China, in place of M. Bourbel, has made another attempt to enter into negotiations with Li Hung Chung, the.Chinese Viceroy, in connection with the Annamese difficulty ; the latter, however, has declined to accede to any of M. Tricon's proposals, and has referred him to Pekin.

Sir Julius Vogel, in a letter to the Times this morning, discusses tho question of colonial defences. In the course of his remarks, he advocated that th colonies- should pay an anuual subsidy to England in return for protection afforded them by war vessels belonging to the Imperial navy. , At a recent meeting of the Dynamite partyiheld in New York, Mr Sheridan, whose extradition was demanded by Englandf some time ago, and John Walsh, one of the secretaries of the Irish Land League, delivered violent addresses; they stated that the supporters of the Dynamite policy, had not abandoned .their intention of enforcing their demands by means of explosives, and that prepara tions wovel being made.to re>commence operations on a more extensive scale than formerl v

y . ... ■ A "select committee appointed bj the House of Lords to consider a proposal to construct a canal from the Mersey to Manchester, have sent in their final report, which emphatically approves of the scheme. .. . ■- .-•■.■ ■■■■ ■ ■■ - •■■-■ ■■

Arrangements are being made to give a grand representative banquet to Henry Irving, the celebrated actor, prior to hia departure for New York.

A difficulty has arisen between the Governments of Austria and Boumania, in connection with decisions arrived at by the Danubian Conference some months ago. Relations between the two countries are very strained. • *k

In discussing the proposal for the federation of the Australian Colonies, the Standard has expressed an opinion that 'the scheme is utterly impracticable, and suggests that in place of federation the colonies should adopt a commercial league, similar to the German Zollverein.

„ The news that Mr Gladstone had refused to endorse the action of the Queens* land Government with regard to the annexation of New Guinea, has, caused a general feeling of surprise, and in some quarters indignation is expressed at what is regarded as an arbitrary and somewhat tyrannical exercise of power. Leading Australians in London arej: especially severe in tbeir denunciation of the Gladstone Ministry, and the Premier has received a number of letters, from repre - sentatire men, formally protesting against the course adopted by the Government. It has been determined that the remains of the late Dc Spottiswoode, L.L.D, P.R.C.S., whose death was recently reported, shall be interred in Westminster Abbey.

The bishops of the Roman Catholic churches have drawn up a protest against the proposal that the State should assist members of the poorer classes to emigrate from Ireland; thoy contend that State money might be better employed io rendering the (Irish people's burdens lighter in the land of their birth.

Mr Fawcett, the Postmaster-General, has determined upon cancelling the contract for the conveyance ot mails between the Mauritius and Aden.

Le Fays, a journal published in Paris, urges that in view of the refusal by the English Government to adopt a policy of annexation in the South Seas, France should at once place New Hebrides under French rule, and suggests that the islands might be used as a convict settlement for the reception of French criminals.

Mr K. M. Smith, a geut-General for Victoria, has written a letter to the Times this morning about the Queensland labor traffic. He seeks to show that the reports which have been circulated in regard to cruel treatment of Kanakas by Queensland planters are without foundation.

Disastrous floods have occurred ib the river Hanoi, Touqnin. A large portion of the fortifications erected by the French were completely destroyed. Hostilities have, tor a time, been suspended, as the swollen rivers prevent the French troops following up the Annamese, who have re tired inland after the recent engagement.

In consequence of the inhabitants of Brindisi refusing to allow the mails per P. and O. steamer Surat to be landed there, the vessel proceeded to Trieste, where the Brindisi mails were sent ashore.

Mr Parnell has despatched a letter to Win. Kedmond approving his contesting the Wexford vacant seat.