VERY LATEST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3329, 3 December 1883, Page 2

VERY LATEST.

THIS DAY, (Received Dec. 3,1883, 10.30 a.m.) The Suez Canal. London, Dec. 1. It is announced that a Convention has been concluded between M. de Lesseps and a syndicate of British shipowners. The Convention makes the following provisions :—Seven additional directors, all of whom shall be Englishmen, will be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canal Company. Consulting Committees are to bo appointed to act in London, with the English directors ; the surtax at present levied, is to be abolished from January next, and pilotage dues in July 1884 ; transit dues to be reduced to fifty centimes per ton, from January 1885, and a further reduction will thereafter be made in proportion to the profits realised by the Company. A competent committee composed of one half Englishmen, will determine whether the present canal should be enlarged, or a second one be constructed. Party Demonstrations ProhibitedThe ill-feeling which has prevailed for some months past in the north of Ireland between the Orange and National parties continues to increase! and especially in the Province of Ulster, where the tension is now very severely manifesting itself. In consequence, fears are entertained that serious disturbances may occur. A Proclamation has been issued by the Executive forbidding the meetings which are announced to be held at Howry, County Down, by the Orangemen and Ha* tionalists. Homeward Mails-

The mails via Naples, per Orient steamer Lusitania, from Melbourne (left Oct. 20), were delivered on the 29th November. ’Frisco MailsSan Francisco, Dec. 30. Arrived, yesterday Pacific Mail Steamer City of New York from Auckland (left Nov. 7). France and China. Paris, Dec. 1. The Parliamentary Committee appointed to consider the question of voting a credit for the Tonquin expedition in making their report, recommended that endeavours should be made by the Government to arrive at an amicable arrangement with China, but at the same time, the Committee recognise the necessity to send reinforcements to Tonquin as a precautionary measure. Egyptian Affairs. Alexandria, Dec. 1. In view of the state of affairs inUppor Egypt, H.M.S. Invincible has arrived at this port and will remain to watch the progress of events. [Eeoeived Deo, 1, 1883,1.20 p.m, O’Donnell Sentenced to Death. London, Dec. 1. The trial of Michael O’Donnell, for the wilful murder of James Caroy, the Irish informer, at Port Elizabeth in July last, finished to-day. The prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to death.