Monday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 22, 21 September 1883, Page 9

Monday.

The Standard considers the danger of a foreign convict establishment in the Pacific as sufficient to justify the attitude of the Colonies in regard to annexation, and condemns Lord Derby's despatch as cold, curt, and unsympathetic. The colonies are only asking what is vitally essential to their welfare, and this the Government, with gratuitous unkindness, refuses to give them on account of political pedantry. After the recent fighting in Anam, the French authorities beheaded 30 " Black Flag " prisoners. The Times says if France prosecutes the Tonquin campaign she will probably embroil herself with Europe. The latest intelligence from Canton states that the Europeans in that city are very uneasy in consequence of the violent anti-foreign placards which have been extensively posted there. All the mortgages on Mr. Parnell's Irish estates have been paid off by public subscription. Latest reports from Tonquin claim that the French troops have carried the principal positions occupied by the Anamese at the point of the bayonet. General Bouet has retired upon Hanoi, leaving garrisons in possession of the various forts recently captured. The British Government have remonstrated against the action of the American authorities in sending back three emigrants alleged to be paupers. The persons in question were going to join their friends in America, who promised to take care of them, and they produced letters to this effect upon their arrival . The Pope is drawing up an encyclical against divorce. The denizens of Pleasant Point (says the Timaru Herald) are considerably exercised by the appearance among them of a most unexpected visitor. A few days ago Mr. Robert Anderson discovered, snugly ensconced under a large gorse fence around his garden, a fine specimen of a hedgehog. Whence it came remains a mystery, as no one in the district was aware of the presence of a single specimen in the country, and great interest is taken in it, especially by the young folks. It must have been tamed, as there is no difficulty in getting it to stretch itself and move about and feed freely. The Mayor of Hokitika, on a largejequisition, has called a public meeting to consider the unsatisfactory working and management of the harbour, and to devise means for remedying the same. The Arrow correspondent of the Daily Times wires as follows r.-— The Marlborough contractors have struck a body ot storie about 18in. wide, but no gold has been discovered in it. The stone is looking; well, and is on the line of the Garibaldi reef. A Prospecting Association, with a capital of £2000, has beea formed to thoroughly prospect the Malvern district, where some excellent samples of gold have been found. Mr. Jacobsen has returned from Alford Forest. He states that sinking has been commenced, and some stones found rather larger than those sent Home by Mr. Kelsey. The Ross United Gold-Mining Company have successfully tapped water in the old workings, relieving the pumping engines in the main shaft. They are now keeping the water down easily at two strokes a minute less than formerly.

I

The Agent-general in London telegraphs to Mr. Service that the Colonial Office has replied to the joint letter of the Agents-general on the subject of the proposed annexation of the Pacific islands. The reply is deemed unsatisfactory. Lord Derby admits the care and ability displayed in the preparation o-t the historical statement, which was referred to the consideration of Sir Arthur Gordon and the admiral ; but Lord Derby doubts whether co much importance is attached in Australia reearding the claims of For^isju Powers as the Agents-general apprehend. Samoa and Tonga have long been recognised as independent ; and, moreover, since 1878 France has lespected the independence of the New Hebrides, though the positiou of the latter in relation to Foreign Powers cannot be ignored. Referring to the Solomon Islands, Lord Derby expressed the opinion that the Colonial Governments have hardly considered the responsibility of attaching them. On this assumption, the Imperial Government were not satisfied that annexation was either necessary or justifiable. His Lordship cays that he has nothing to add concerning New Guinea, and concludes by stating that if the Colonial Governments desire to bear the cost of the measures proposed in the Agentsgenerals' memorandum, and will confer and make a proposal concerning the other islands not subject to treaty, such proposal will receive the attention of the Government. The Reefton correspondent of the Otago Daily Times wires as follows : — A slight improvement in the stock market is noticeable to-day, and although 1 sales have not been very numerous, yet an int clination to invest is manifest. Holders, however, do not seem anxious to sell at late quotations, and, as a rule, are looking for an advance. Several orders yet remain uncompleted on that account. It is expected that shortly the market will establish itself on a firmer basis, and more accommodating prices become prevalent. The late fine weather has afforded an excellent opportunity to push ahead the various outside works now progressing in all parts of the field. The general aspect of the mines is assuring ; and as progressive works in connection with the claims advance towards completion, more attention will naturally be paid to the district by the outside public than has hitherto obtained. Prince Bismarck, in reply to the French journalists' attacks, declares that France threatens the peace of Europe, that such a state of affairs cannot continue without serious danger, and that the passions fomented by the agitation may burst the bond of peace. A reign of terror existed on August 24, in the village of Casso, in Roumelia. The Turks were murdering the Christians, and all the latter who could get away were Seeing. Count de Chambord's death is alluded to by the Republican journals respectfully, and they unite in paying homage to his sincerity. The Royalist papers appeared with mourning borders, and are reserved in their comments regarding the consequences of tbe death. The body will be buried \ y the side of Charles X. The Dublin JFreonan's Journal violently denounces the House of Lords for its action in rejecting the Irish Registration Bill. Mount Vesuvius was again active on August 22. The buildings near the mountain and the railroad to it were damaged by the tremblings. Tbe Bridge Hotel, Nelson, kept by Mr. Tafner, was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The stables and out-houses were saved with great difficulty. There were no insurances.