THE FIGHT NEAR DULKS ISLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 2657, 13 March 1885, Page 2

THE FIGHT NEAR DULKS ISLAND.

GENERAL EARLE AND LIEUT. EYRE KILLED. A correspondent telegraphed on February 12th the particulars of the fight near Bulks Island, in which General Earle and Lieut. Eyre were killed. The Arabs had fortified a pass and built a fort on the left bank of the river. When General Earle’s forces reached the pass, they were subjected to a galling fire from the field guns which the enemy had placed m command of the position. General Earle had no artillery, and ordered the troops to charge. It was more of a scramble than a charge, but the Arabs were driven from the heights at the point of the bayonet, and fell back slowly towards the river. All that then remained was to capture a small fort on the river bank. As the British column advanced it was met by a steady and well directed fire from behind the sand and wattlings which composed the fort, and many men of the attacking party were killed. General Earle again ordered his men to charge, and put himself at the head of the column. He was killed during this charge. The fort was ultimately captured, but at a terrible cost. In addition to General Earle and Lieut.-Col. Eyre three officers and eight men were killed! and thirty-five men wounded. General Brackenbury succeeded Earle. THE SLAUGHTER AT KHARTOUM. Additional particulars state that the scenes of the slaughter at Khartoum' are described as surpassing the Bulgarian atrocities, and rivalling the worst horrors of the Sepoy mutiny. The panic-stricken Egyptians were captured in their flight, and put to death with the most fiendish tortures. Some were transfixed with spears, and left to bleed to death. Most of the victims were mutilated in the most horrible manner; eyes were gouged out noses slit, and tongues torn out by the roots. In many cases the mutilated parts of the victims’ bodies were thrust into their mouths while they were still living. The massacre included many non-combat-ants, and Egyptian women were subjected to most shameful indignities. More than a hundred women and young girls were handed over to the Mahdi’s followers to be used as slaves. After the slaughter many of the Arabs were seen rushing about the streets with heads of the Egyptians impaled upon their spears. The night was spent in a saturnalia of blood and debauchery. Since the capture of Khartoum El Mahdi has repaired the fortifications, and made the place well-nigh impregnable. He has made it his permanent head-quar-ters, and is said to have an abundance of guns, small arms, and ammunition. Both Colonel Wilson’s steamers were wrecked, owing to the treachery of the pilots, who will be court-martialled. LETTERS FROM THE MAHDI. A Vienna telegram states—The Nemzet publishes several letters from the Mahdi to the generals. One addressed to the Ameer Nur Angara, at Sydney, runs thus—To my Caliph, God be with thee. My Dongola agent announces that the first troops of Inglis have arrived there, which the Grand Vizier Klastun (Gladstone) places at the Khedive’s disposal to reconquer the Soudan. I command thee to proceed with thy troops to Berber, where Nurr Eddin has 2100 men, so that altogether 8000 men will be at thy command, with whom thou art to fight the Inglis, if possible, on the Mountain of Hrraund, north of Berber. Announce to our brethren before the battle that the whole camp of the Christians will be theirs. The heads of the Christian generals are to be sent to Osman Di<ma. Obey the servant of the Prophet.” The second letter, which is addressed to Osman Digna, begins —“ To my favourite. Why do I hear nothing about Suakim 1 How long wilt thou suffer that the Christians govern this town? How can I look towards Arabia and expect assistance thence if the approach to the sea is denied me ? Thou, my right hand, open me the port to the sea.” A third letter gives the initials of the secret agents of the Mahdi at Korosko, Wady Haifa, Assouan, and Merawi. It closes thus “ You can have full confidence in them ; they are faithful, and hate the warriors of that Christian woman” (the Queen).

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. The following is the conclusion of the report of the County Council sitting at Hokitika on Wednesday night. FEBRUARY ACCOUNTS. The Chairman moved, “That the accounts for February, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £2323 9s, be now passed for payment,”— Carried. STANDING ORDERS. The Chairman moved, “That the Standing Orders as now revised and printed, be adopted as the Standing Orders of this Council from and after the present date.”—Carried. COUNTY PROSPECTING. Mr Dungan moved, “ That a committee consisting of Messrs Clarke, Seddon, M'Goldrick, Jack, and the mover, be appointed to draft an amended set of regulations for prospecting purposes in the County, and to report by next meeting of the Council.” Some amendment was required, as the old set of prospecting regulations were very poor indeed, and not at all what the miners should expect. The present subsidy is ouly five shillings to the £ for prospecting, which was not enough. He advocated giving ten shillings or £ for £. Greater encuragement should be given to prospecting by the Council. He had continually heard complaints from miners on this subject. Mr Clarke seconded the motion. The matter was very important to all of us. A subject in connection with this was the necessity of making tracks for prospectors. Men could not go very far in the bush here without tracks. Mr Jack thought more attention should be paid to opening up tracks, and not quite so much to metalling main roads. He supported the motion. Mr Seddon moved an amendment to Strike out all the words in the motion after “ purposes,” and insert the words, ** and for offering rewards for the discovery of new goldfields,” It was strange that there was so little prospecting now, for in old times miners took a pride in going into the bush to prospect. Mr M‘Goldrick seconded the amendment. A great deal of the country was unknown, and the Council must spare money to make tracks. Mr Dungan replied, accepting the amendment, and the motion as amended was agreed to. WAYS AND MEANS. Mr Seddon moved, “ That the Finance Committee, with Councillor M'Whirter, be appointed a committee of ways and means to inquire into, and report upon the best method of reducing departmental expenditure. That the said committee decide upon the accounts for the month of February, which shall have precedence in payment and also that they make arrangements with the Council’s bank for an overdraft to enable the Council to pay the whole of the February accounts, daring the ensuing week.”—Mr Dungan seconded. Carried. The Council adjourned at 1 a.m.