LATEST CABLEGRAMS

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1270, 13 July 1883, Page 2

LATEST CABLEGRAMS

» (per reutrr's agency. ) Received July 12, 1i.5 p.m. Melbourne, 11. Arrived this afternoon — The Union Steamship Wairarapa, from Bluff. Belmont has been scratched for the Melbourne Cup Eaee. The question of annexation of New Guinea and the Pacific Islands is receiving a large amount of public at tention in this city. An address to the Queen was to day passed unanimously by both Houses of Parliament, supporting the proposed annexation by the Imperial Government, or the establishment of a protectorate, and announcing that the Colony of Victoria is willing to

pay its share of expenses thereby incurred. The Mayor of Melbourne has called a public meeting with a view of obtaining from the. citizens an expression of opinion -in support of t.'ie project. (Received July 12, 1 .10 p.m. ) London, ll. In the House ofcCommons last night, Gladstone announced that intelligence had reached tho Government of agraye. occurrence at Tamatave, Madagascar, a toWn which has been in the occupation of French forces for the last few weeks. While the British-Consul at Tamatave was lying ill, his secretary was arrested by order of the French Commander, and the Consul was peremptorily ordered to quit the town within twenty hours. Before that time elapsed however, the Consul died. The French invited the officers of Her Majesty's ship Dryad, then lying in port, to attend the funeral, and several officers came ashore for that purpose, and when the ceremony was ended they were forbidden to re-embark, and were compdle^.jto remain ashore. Gladstone conciriaed by stating, that the occurrence was of a serious nature, and that the Government would demand immediate explanations from the French Government It is announced that Childers, acfciDg on behalf of the British Governmentj has signed an agreement with Count Lesseps, for the construction of a second canal through the Isthmus of Suez,, parallel to the present one. The work is to be completed by 1888, England will provide the required capital of £8,125,000. The agreement provides for a reduction of tolls levied by the present Canal Company. Capetown, 10. Intelligence is to hand from Zululand, that a severe engagement hasbeen fought between the followers o^ Cetewayo and those of Oham. The latter were completely defeated, and Oham himself was taken prisoner. Brisbane 12. In the Legislative Assembly last night, the Appropriation Bill for £500,000 was passed through all its stages. The. session is now virtually closed, and a dissolution is expected to he proclaimed immediately.