THE EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 73, 27 February 1885, Page 2

THE EXCITEMENT IN SYDNEY.

(For s.s. Wairarapa at Auckland.)

' (UNITED PttESS ASSOCIATION.) Sydney, Feb. 20. The approaching departure of troops for the Soudan is the all-absorbing topic. All is bustle and excitement.Everywb.ere men are offering themselves freely, both married and single, and members are being enrolled daily and sent into barracks. The steamers Iberia and Australasia have been chartered, and will soon commence to load. A council of war, consisting of Messrs Dalley, Dibbs, and Wright, sits daily,. and a great deal of business is done. Respectable and hard-working citizens, who have -been following a number, of trades, .have been suddenly transformed into full-blown field officers, with all military status, and with handsome pay and allowance. The commandant alone has £1250 a year. The pay of the officers varies from- £650 for lieutenant-colonels irfcominand to £325 for lieutenants. The men get from. 9s 6d to 6s per day; "Provision is also made for the wives and families and -for casualties; The enthusiasm has extended to the country, and numbers of volunteers have arrived, at, .different centres. Contributions of money and kind are flowing m, and each day appears a long list of such things as biscuitsj tobacco, aerated Water, musical instruments, and various articles for use, entertainment, and comfort. The money contributions are large and numerous.