LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4643, 21 November 1883, Page 2

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

London, November 8

The report that the French force in Tonquin had occupied the towns Suntay and Bac'i ninh without opposition has proved to be unfounded.

An explosion of fire-damp which occurred yesterday at 'Mankfield Colliery, Lancashire, resulted in the death of 60 miners.

A banquet was given last night at the Langbam Hotel to Mr James Mcßain one of the Victorian Executive Commissioners to the Amsterdam Exhibition, and a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. The host was Mr Simon Fraser, late member of the Legislative Assembly for Rodney. The affair was most successful, several well»known gentleman from the Australian colonies being amongst the guests. The correspondent of the Standard yesterday had an interview with M. Jules Ferry, the French Premier, with a view to obtaining an authoritative, estimate as to the bourse which France intends to pursue relative to New Guinea and the New

Hebrides. M. Ferry denied that the French Government had any intention of interfering with New Guinea. With reference to the New Hebrides he asserted that France was determined to maintain the neutrality of those islands in accordance with the understanding arrived at with England some time ago.

November 11.

The Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the best means for the regulation of the labor traffic in the Western Pacific have sent in their report. The result.of their inquiries and the nature of their recommendations have not, however, transpired.