LATE CABLE NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2750, 17 July 1883, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Br TBLE3BAPH.] (Per (.a. Tarawera at Bluff.) [Speclax to tiie Melboukne "Aoe."] Lohdoh, July 5. The accident which occarrod on Tuesday at the launching of the steamer Daphne, is attributed to the fact (hat the machinery was inserted before launching the Teasel. Another reason assigned ia that the chains by which the steamer was eaßed into the water worked unsatisfactorily, and with unequal action. Effort! are being made to raits the Daphne, but ao far they have not lucoeeded. The latest reports show that 150 persons lost their lires through the accident. 40 bodiei bare been recovered. The Agents-General of the Australian colonies yesterday waited upon the members of the London Chamber of Commerce with reference to the action taken by the Intercolonial Postal Conference at Sydney to obtain admission into the Postal Union. It mi resolved that the Brisbane and Wellington Chambers of Commerce should be urged to preis the importance of joining the Union upon their respective Governments. Sir F. D. Bell, Agent-General for New Zsal&nd, and Mr Archer for Queensland, promised that the suggestion should be acted upon, and that they would do all m their power to secure compliance on the part of their Governments. Reinforcements of 3000 French troops have arrived at Hanoi to strengthen the garrison established there. Upon their arrival hostilities were at once recommenced, and a severe engagement took place between the forces of France and Anam. It resulted m the defeat of the Anamese, who suffered heavy loss. The Frenoh commander then set fire to the town, which was soon completely destroyed. M. Tricon, who was recently appointed French Minister to tbe Court of China, has inado another attempt to enter into negotiations with La Hung Chang, the Chinese Viceroy, m connection with the Anameso difficulty. The Utter, however, has deolined to acoede to any of M. Tricon'a proposals, and has referred him to Pekin, Sir J. Yogel, m a letter to the Times this morning, diicusies the question of colonial defence. In the course of bit remarks, he advocates that the colonies should pay an annual subsidy to Englaud, m return for the protection afforded them by war vessels belonging to tbe Imperial navy. At a recent meeting of the dynamite party, held m New York, Sheridan, whose extradition was demanded by England 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 bad not abasdoned their intention of enforcing their demands by means of explosives, and that preparations were being made to recommence operations on a more extensive scale than formerly. Tbe Seleot Committee appointed by the House of Lords to consider the proposed ship canal from the Mersey to Manchester have sent In their final report, whioh emphatically approves of the scheme. ' Arrangements aro being made to give a grand representative banquet to Henry Irving, tbe celebrated actor, prior to his departure for New York. A difficulty has, arisen between the Governments of Austria and Roumania m connection with the decisions arrived at by the Danubian Con Terence some months ago, and the relations between tbe two countries are very strained. In discussing the propoial for the federation of the Australian Colonies, the Standard this morning expresses the opinion that the scheme is utterly impracticable, and suggests that m pUoe of federation the Colonies should adopt a commercial league, similar to the German Zollverein. The news that Mr Gladstone bad refused to endorse the action of Queensland as regards the annexation of New Guinea has caused a general feeling of surprise, and m some quarters indignation is expressed at what is regarded as an arbitrary and somewhat tyrannical exeroise of power, Tbe leading Australians m London are especially severe m their denunciation of Mr Gladstone's Ministry, and the Premier has received numerous letters from representative men formally protesting against the oourse adopted by the Government. . It has been determined that the remains of the late Dr Spottiswood, L.L.D., F. 8.8., whose death wm recently reported, shall b» interred m Westminster Abbey. The Bi»hop§ of the Roman Oatholio

churches bare drawn up a prote-t against the proposal that the State should assist members of the poorer classes to emigrate from Ire land. . They contend that tbe State* money wight be belter employed m rendering the Irith people's bardena lighter m the country of their birth. MrFaweett, Poftmnsler General, bus determined upon cancelling the contract for the i*ontract for the conveyance of mails between Mauritius and Aden. Le Pays, a journal published m Paris, urgou that m view of the refusal by the ttnglisb Government to adopt a policy of nnnexation m tbe South Bess, France should at onro place the New Hebrides under French rule, and suggests that the Islands might be utilised as convict settlements (or tbe reception of French criminals. Mr Smith, Agent-Genera) for Victoria, has o letter m the Times this morning upon the Queensland labor trnffie. He seeks to ihow that the repoits whioh hove been circulated m regard to cruel treatment of Kanakas by Queensland planters are without foundation. A disastrous flood has occurred m the river Hanoi, Tonquin, and a large portion of tbe fortifications erected by the French was completely deitrojed. Hostilities bare, for the time,, been suspended, ua the swollen state of tho river prevents tbo French troops from following up tho Anamese, who retired inland afler the recent engagement. The French Consul at Hue, the capital of tho Anameee Kmpirc, has been subjected to great indignity by tho authorities there. In consrquenca of the inhabitants of Brindiei refuting to allow mails per the P. and O. iteamcr Suez to be landed there, the vessel proceeded to Trieste, where the Brindiii mails were sent ashore. Mr Parnell haa despatched a letter to William Bedmond, approving of hii c*ndiduture for thp vacant seat of Wexford.