LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN

Kumara Times, Issue 2574, 4 December 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN

INTELLIGENCE. *+* [REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. > < DRAFT OF BILL FOR COLONIAL FEDERAL COUNCIL. WRECK OF THE SHIP BERENGARIA. HOMEWARD MAILS. PROPOSED EXPENDITURE FOR INCREASE OF BRITISH NAYY, IN ADDITION TO IRONCLADS AND HARBOUR DEFENCES. WHALEBOATS FOR BRITISH TROOPS ON THE NILE. REPORTED DEATH OF EL MAHDI, THE FALSE PROPHET. EXCITEMENT AT CAPE COLONY OVER BECHUANALAND AFFAIRS. REPULSE OF THE FRENCH IN FORMOSA ISLAND. (Received December 3, 8 p.m.) London, December 2. In the House of Commons to-day, the Hon. Evelyn Ashley stated, in reply to a question, that the amended draft of the bill for constituting a Federal Council for the Australasian Colonies would be transmitted to the colonies this week, and Government hoped to be able to lay the despatches on the subject before Parliament before the prorogation of the present session. The ship Berengaria, which left Melbourne for London on August 9, while proceeding to Sunderland, struck on a rock near Galloper Light, on the coast of Essex, and sunk shortly after. The P. and O; steamship Shannon arrived at Plymouth to day, from Melbourne, October 9. In his statement in the House of Lords to-day, Lord Northbrook announced that Government proposed to spend <£5,500,000 daring the next five years on building and equipping cruisers ; and that this sum would be required in addition to the proposed expenditure on ironclads and harbour defences.

(Received December 3, 8 p.m.)

Cairo, December 2.

The first of the whaleboats for conveying troops to the front has arrived at Dongola. (Received December 4, 1.15 a.m.)

December 3

News from Dongola states that the Mudir has received intelligence that El Mahdi is dead.

(Received December 4, 1,40 p.m.) Capetown, December 3,

The Hon. Mr Uppington, 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 caused great public indignation, and considerable excitement prevails throughout the colony. [special to press association.] London, December 1. The French troops have been repulsed by the Chinese at Kelung, with a loss of twenty killed.