BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1108, 7 January 1885, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

(Special to Press Association.) London, December 28th. The " Times " this morning, referring to the German annexation in the Pacific, states that the incapacity and ignorance of the Colonial Office are unlimited, and that the inheritance of the Australian Colonies has been gambled away. The "Times" is also of opinion that the Colonies will naturally resent what has taken place. The "Daily News" says that Holland is merely holding a portion of New Guinea as a trustee for Germany. Michael Davitt, leader of the National party in Ireland, has sailed from England on an extended tour through the a Auatralian Colonies. Haslam Brothers and Wilson, Australian merchants, have purchased the Bell-Oaleman refrigerating patents for their extensive freezing-chambers for the storage of Australian meat at the West India Decks and Smithfield. The Governor of the Colony of Natal has hoisted the British flag at St. Lucia Bay on the coast of Zululand. It is considered doubtful whether Earl Derby will sanction and confirm the action. The Paris journal " Le Temps," writing in reference to the New Hebrides, considers that it will be neeeasary for France to take early action and annex those islands jn order to anticipate G.erma» intentions iv the same direction.