LATEST FROM EUROPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1396, 4 December 1884, Page 3

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[BBDTKB's TKMOEAM8 —COPYRIGHT, ] Ilia Federation Bill / London, December 2. In the House of Commons to-day the Hon Evelyn Ashley stated, in reply to a question, that an amended draft Bill for constituting a Federal Council for the Australasian Colonies would be transmitted to the colonies this week. The Government, he hoped, Would be able to lay despatches on the subject before the prorogation of the present session. Shipping Disaster. The ship Berengana, which left Melbourne for London on August while proceeding to Sunderland, struck on a rock near Galloper light, on the coast of Essex, and sank shortly after. Arrived. The P. and O. steamship Shannon 'arrived at Plymouth to-day from Melbourne, October 9th. The Imperial Navy. In a statement in the House of Lords to-day, Lord Northbrook announced that the Government proposed to spend L 5,500,000 during the next five years on building and equipping cruisers, and that this sum would be required in addition to the proposed expenditure upon ironclads and harbor defences. The Boudan Expedition. Cairo, December 2. The first of the whaleboats conveying, troops to the front have arrived at Dongola.

(Received December 4,1.15 p.m.) Reported Death of the Mahdi. Caibo, December 4 News from Dongola states that the Mudir has received intelligence that the Mahdi is dead.

([Received December 4,. 1.40 p.m.] South African Affairs. Capetown, December 3. Mr Uppington, the Premier, addressed a public meeting last night, in which he expressed himself as siding with the Dutch party. He eulogised the action of the Boer raiders in Bechuanaland, and censured the policy of the Governor, Sir Hercules Robinson. The Premier’s speech has caused great public indignation, and considerable excitement prevails throughout the colony..