CABLE NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume V, Issue 963, 26 November 1884, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph. — Reoteb-'s Copyright. FEDERATION. LONDON, November 24. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr. Gladstone announced that the draft of the Enabling Bill re Australasian federation requires important amendments, and that it was advisable to consult tbe colonies tbereanent before presenting tbe measure to Parliament. He added that tbe bill would create a small Federal Council to deal with questions of common colonial interest, but that tbe question of the reconstitution of the colonies would not be dealt with by the measure. REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS. " LONDON, November 24. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr. Gladstone gave notice that be would, on Monday next, introduce a bill for the redistribution of s°ats. • PROCLAMATION OF THE PROTECTORATE OVER NEW GUINEA. MELBOURNE, November 18. • Commodore Erskine, in H.M.S. Nelson, arrived ai Port Moresby on Sunday, 2nd November. Tbe proclamation of the British protectorate was made on the 6tb instant. Tbe vessels which assisted at the ceremony were H.M.S. Nelson, Espiegle (wbich had aboard Mr. H. M. Chester, Resident Magistrate of Thursday Island, who first hoisted the British flag at New Guinea some time ago), Raven, Swinger, and Harrier. When the Nelson came to anchor, Deputy-Commander Romilly came aboard, and startled everybody by informing the Commodore that he had already formally proclaimed the protectorate. Commodore Erskine, however, decided that bis ceremonial wa9 not binding, and decided to proceed with tiie granA and authorised programme, and explain to tbe natives that tbo otlaev was only preliminary. On tbe 6th inst., all the native chiefs who could be collected assembled at Port Morseby, and proceeded aboard the Nelson. Each chief received a gift of tomahawks, or some object attracting tbe native mind, and, after the natives bad feasted, tbe ceremony began. Commodore Erskine had selected Coevagi as the supreme chief, and addressed him as follows:— The Queen has established a protectorate over tbe shores of New Guinea, and to proclaim that event I hoist the British flag at Port Morseby. From this time forth you are placed under the protection of Her Majesty, and evil disposed men will be unable to alienate your lands and possessions. If any wrong be done to you, you must complain to Her Majesfy's representatives, who will give you redress. Mr. Lawes,, missionary, read a translation of tbe Commodore's address, and Coevagi was presented with a wand of office bearing the insignia. Royal salutes from the warships concluded the proceedings, and the natives were greatly astonished by the firing of tbe ships' gnnß at long ranges.