LATE CABLE NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4745, 16 July 1883, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Psb Pbbss Association.]

SINKING OF THE DAPHNE.

THE ANNSXITION QUESTION. AFFAIR 3 IN ANAM. (Per e.o. Tarawa, via tbo Bluff.) [Aqb Bpkoials.] LONDON, July 4. Tho acoidcnt which eecurred on Tuesday in launching the steamer D4phno is attributed to the fact that ths nicohinery wts inserted before launching tho veassl. Another reason ascignod is that the chains by which the Bteauier was ea3ed into the water worked tmsatiisfaotorily aad with unequal action. From tho latest reports it appears that 100 porjona wero drowned. Forty bodies havo already been reoovered. Efforts are b»ing made to raise the Daphne, but bo far thoy have not succeeded. Tho latest reports show that 150 persons lost thoir lirea through the accident. The Agents-General of tho Australian Colonies yesterday waitod upon the members of the London Chamber of Commerce, with reference to the action taken by tho Intercolonial Postal Conference at Sjdsey, to obtain admission to the postal union. It was resolved that the Brisbane and Wellington Chambers ot Commerce should bo urged to pres3 tho importanco of joining the union upon their respective Governments. Sir F. Dillon 8011, tho Agent-Goeeral, and Mr Archer (for Queensland), promised that the suggestion should be acted upon, and thab they would do all in their power to secure compliance on the part of their Governments. A reinferomont of 30C0 French troops has arrived at Hanoi to strengthen the garrison established thcrn. Upon their arrival, holilities wero tA once recommonced, and a severe engagement took place between the forces of Franco and Ansin. It resulted in the defeat of the Aname6e, who suGered heavy loas. r ihe French commander- then eet firo to the town, which v.ag soon comp'etily destroyed. M. Fricon, who was recently appointed French Minister at the Court of China, in place of M. Bourse, has made another attempt to enter into negotiations with Lshing Ohing, the Chinese Vioeroy, in connection with tho Anameee difficulty. The ktter.Jiowever, has declined to accede to auy of M. Trieon'a propo-ala, and has referred him to Pokin. Sip Julius Vogol, in a letter to tho Times this morning, discusses the question of Colonial defences. In tho courae of his remarks ho advocates that the Colonies should pay an annual subsidy to England in return for tho protection afforded them by war vessels belonging to tho Imperial Na?y. At a recent meeting of the Dynamito Party hAd in New York, Sheridan, whose extradition was demanded by England some tima ago, and John Welch, one of the Secretaries of the Irish Land Leßgu», delivered violont addresses. They stated that the supporters of tho dynamite policy had not abandoned their intention of enforcing their demands by means of explosives, and that preparatiocs were being made to recommence operations on a more extensive scale than formerly. Tho Select Oommittoe appsinted by tho House of Lords to considar tho proposed ship oanal from tho Mersey to Mancheater have cent in their final report, which emphaticaily approves of the scheme. Arrangements are being made to give a grand representative banquet to Henry Irving, the celebratod actor, prior to his departure for New York. A difficulty has arisen between the Governments of ' Austria and Houmania, in oonnection with the decisions arrived at by tho Danubian Conference some months ago. The relatioHß between tho two countries aro very strained. Discussing the proposal for the federation of the Australian Colonies; the Standard this morning expresses the opinion that the scheme i 3 utterly impracticable, and suggeofs that in placo of 'federation the Oolonioa should adopt a commercial league similar to the German Zallverein. The news that Mr Gladstone had refused * to endorse tho aotion of Queensland as regards I the annexation of Hew Guinea has caused a ' general feeling of surprise j and in some quarj tew indignation ia expreißed at what is- re* • } gardfld as bo arbitrary and Bomewha.t tyranni- {

pal exeroiae of powor. Leading Australians in London were especially aevero in their denun* ciatious of tho Gladstouo Ministry, and the Premier has receive kumerous letters from repreaentativo mon, formally protesting ogaictt tho courso adopted by Iho Government. It has been detormiued that the remains of tho late Mr Spottiswoode (L.LD., F. 8.8.;, whoue death was recently recorded, b 8 buried in Westminster Abbay. Iho Bishopa of Boman Catholio churches havo drawn up n protest ngiinet the proposal that tho 3tato should assist members of tho poorer clama to emigrate from Ireland. 'I hey contond that tho State money might bo b«tt;r employad in rendering the Irish people's bura'ejiß lighter in the country of their birth.

Mr Fawcott, tho Postmaster-General, has determined upon cancelling the contraot for the conveyance of maila between Mauritius and A deß. Le Pays, a journal published in Paris, urges that in view of the refusal by the English Government to adopt a policy of annexation in tho South gene, France ehould at once placs the New Hebrides under French rule. It suggests that the Islands might be utilised an convict settlements for the reception of French criminals. Mr Smith, the Agent- General for Victoria, has a letter in the Times of this morning upon Queensland labour traffic. He seeks to show that tho reports which ha*e been circulated with regard to tho crwol treatment of JKanckas by Queensland planters are without foundation. A disastrous flood has occurred in tho River Hanoi, Tenquin. A large portion of the fortiCcations erected by the French were completely destroyed. Hostilities have, for the time, been suspended, as the swollen state of the rivers prevents the French troops from following up the Anamese, who retired inland after the recent engagement. The French Consul at Hue, the capital of tho Anaraese Empire, has been subjected to great indignities by the authorities there. In consequence of the inhabitants of Brindiii rofueing to allow the -mails per the P. and O. steamer Surat to be landed there, the vessel proceeded to Trieste, whore the Brindisi mails were sent ashore. Mr Parnell has despa'ched a letter to M William Bcdnond, approving of hia oandidatare for the vacant seat of Wexford.