COLONIAL DEFENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3784, 31 August 1883, Page 3

COLONIAL DEFENCE.

DISTRESS IN LONDON. THE AVOOL SALES. LONDON. August 24. A steamer built for Mr John Hay, of New Zealand, has been launched on the Clvdo.

The Admiralty insists that submarine mines are an essential part of the plan for blocking the channels of Australian harbors for defence purposes. Tho Victorian Government has ordered two batteries of the new Armstrong field artillery, and also heavy guns for the forts, to protect Port Phillip. August 25. A remarkable article in the Diritto warns France to abandon all colonial adventures.

Sir Chas. Dilke has promised to enquire into the alleged distress in tho East and South of London, with a view to relief by emigration. A great convocation of tho Irish Land Leaguo is to bo held at Leeds at tho end of September. The wool sales arc now progressing with more spirit than at first, and prices are hardening slightly. Merinos are now equal to Juno rates, but faulty and mediums (especially those from Sydney and Queensland) havp declined -kl to Id and crossbreds arc Ad lower. Tho catalogue comprises 58,000' bales of which 7-100 have been withdrawn. The sales close on the 29th September. August 26. Mr A. Campbell Onslow, formerly Attorney-General for Western Australia, has been appointed Chief Justice of that colony. The German Government have decided to prosccuto Antoine, the deputy at Metz, for treason. Spain is .seeking to enter the tnplo alliance with Germany, Austria, and Italy Admiral Pierre, who was in command of tho French lleet of Madagascar, has reported that there arc no grounds for the

charges brought against Mr Shaw, the British missionary at Tamatave. Great uneasiness is felt in Hong Kong in consequence of the absence of the English fleet in Japan. August 27. It is reported that Henry M. Stanley, the explorer, has closed the Upper Congo against general commerce. Splendid harvest weather is now being experienced. The Mark Lane Express estimates that the available wheat crop will be seven and a half million quarters. It has been arranged that _ the leaders of the Free Trade Conference in America shall meet at St. Louis in October next. News from the Cape has been received to the effect that Cetewayo states that in future ho will not consult the colonial authorities. Tho Peruvians and Chilians arc disposed to recognise General Iglesias as President. Tho Chinese regulars are occupying a portion of Tonquin. The French Government have sent 1500 men to reinforce their army in Tonquin.

By Electric Teleoraph. —Copyright,

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