LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2323, 7 February 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. GLADSTONE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED. BOURKE’S MOTION REJECTED. ADDRESS IN REPLY CARRIED. A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COLONIES. THE CUZCO’S FROZEN MEAT. (Received February 6, 8 p.m.) London, February 5. In the House of Commons to-day, the Right Hon. E. Bourke, M.P. for King’s Lynn, proposed an amendment to the address in reply, stating in effect that the policy of the Government in Egypt had proved a failure. In the House of Commons yesterday afternoon the amendment proposed by the Right Hon. Mr Bourke to the address in reply condemning the Egyptian policy of Government was under consideration, but failed to meet with a substantial majority prior to the dinner hour adjournment. The address in reply to the Queen’s Speech was voted by the House of Lords without much discussion yesterday. Alexander Stavely Hill, M.P. for West Staffordshire, has given notice of motion for the adoption of an address to the Queen urging that the colonies should be represented in the Council of the Empire. The Sydney portion of the frozen meat, ex steamship Cuzco, consisting of 2025 carcasses of mutton, has been sold at an average of 4fd to 5d per lb. The meat was in good condition. [special to press association.] London, January 31. The shipment of butter ex Chimborazo has realised thirteen pence per pound. It is reported not to have been sufficiently salted. A Russian Envoy has left for Honolulu in order to present a diamond decoration to King Kalakaua, of the Sandwich Islands. February 1. Bishop Barry’s library was on board the Simla, and has been lost. The reports about the French troops having been repulsed at Bacninh are not confirmed. Fully 60 per cent, of the New JZea-

land frozen meat per lonic was damaged by fire. Acceding to the request of the Victorian Government, Postmaster-General Fawcett has agreed to cancel the order requiring letters to bear special directions as to the route by which they are to be forwarded to Australia, February 2. Mr Postmaster-General Fawcett states that many thousands of letters and papers, obviously iniended for transmision by the P. and 0. mail boats to Australia, are every week detained owing to the regulations as to special address. Sir Hercules Robinson will return to the Governorship of the Cape shortly. More gold withdrawals for Australia are expected at an early date. A slight fall in the London Chartered Bank’s stock has taken place. The Dunedin’s cargo of frozen meat is reaching 6£d per lb. Le Temps says that the only effect of the Recidivisite scheme will be to swell the ranks of ruffianism in the Pacific by the banishment thither of those whom it has been proved impossible to reform. February 3. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company propose to increase their capital by half a million. Prince Napoleon has authorised a renewal of the agitation in favour of the Buonaparte cause. Paris is placarded with appeals, urging the police to rise and assist the starving populace. February 4. The Spanish claims to the Caroline Islands will probably be recognised by by England if Spain abandons its claims on Borneo. The Government propose asking Parliament for a vote of two millions to commence the defence of naval stations. An extensive Socialistic plot has been discovered in Austria. DEFEAT OP BAKER PASHA’S FORCE BY THE REBEL ARABS. LOSS OF TWO THOUSAND MEN. THE EGYPTIAN TROOPS REFUSING TO FIGHT. RETURN OF BAKER PASHA TO SOUAKIM. REINFORCEMENT OF THE INDIAN SQUADRON. BRITISH PROTECTION TO THE RESIDENTS OP SOUAKIM, [reuter’s telegrams.] (Received February 6, 8 p.m.) Cairo, February 5. Intelligence is to hand from Souakim reporting that Baker Pasha made an advance for the purpose of relieving the garrisons at Toscar, but was attacked near the latter place by a strong force of Arab rebels. An engagement took place, which resulted in the defeat of the Egyptian troops, with a loss of 2000 men, four Krupp guns, and a gatling gun. Baker Pasha is now returning to Souakim with the remainder of his force, finding further advance impossible. (Received February 7, 1 a.m.) Later. Further details to hand from Souakira regarding the defeat of Baker Pasha’s force by the Arabs show that the Egyptian troops, of which his force largely consisted, proved utterly untrustworthy, and, when called upon to advance against the enemy, refused to fight, and fled ignorainiously. The European and the Turkish detachments stood their ground, but were overpowered and outnumbered, and were cut to pieces. Much alarm was felt at Souakim at the success of the followers of El Mahdi, and a force of Marines was landed from the British war vessels lying off the town, in order to prevent a panic occurring among the inhabitants. The defeat of Baker Pasha’s troops rendered the relief of the beleagured garrisons at Siukat and Tokar hopeless. (Received February 7, 1.10 p.m.) Baker Pasha telegraphs from Souakira that his assailants near Tokar numbered under one thousand. (Received February 7, 1 a.m.) London, February 5. In view of the recent reverse sustained by the Egyptian troops, under Baker Pasha in his operations against the Arab rebels near Souakim, orders have been issued for the detention, until further notice, of troop-ships now on their way to Indir. It is not, however, known whether the Government has decided to land any troops on the west coast of the Red Sea, or to undertake the defence of Souakim against the rebels. :

(Received February 7, 1.10 p.m.) Febuary 6. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone announced that Government had ordered that measures should immediately be taken to reinforce the Indian Squadron at Souakim under Admiral Hewett, with the view of protecting that town from the landside by a force of marines and sailors.