THE SOUDAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 139, 18 May 1885, Page 2

THE SOUDAN.

In a letter written by General Gordon daring the latter days of the siege of Khar* toam to a military offioer residing m Cairo, appears the following :— " Thanks for your letter, which I receiyed yesterday. The steamer which brought it had to ran. the gauntlet of no end of rifle fire and six guns. She was struck three times by shells," but only seven were wounded. I am not ill-treated, I con. aider, but the Coptic people up here, they are ill-used. I will accept nothing what* ever from the Gladstone Government. I will nof even let them pay my expenses. I will get the King to pay them. I will never put my foot m England again, but will (D.V.)i if I get out, go to Brussels, and so on to Congo.

The Bishop of Peterborough writes with reference to prayers for the troops m the Soudan : — I understand that many of the clergy of this diocese are desirous of receiving some direction from me as to the prayers to be used m churches on behalf of our troops now en« gaged m warfare m Africa. I write, therefore, to say that it appears to me that we cannot do better than avail our selves of the provision for special intercession which is made by our church, and which is not only acceptable m itself, but, under all the circumstances of the cast best calculated to secure — what all feel most desirable — united prayer. I would wish, theretore, that the clergy I of this dioceie should, before the Litany, or, when the Litany it not used, before the prayer " for all sorts and conditions of men," ask the prayers of the congregations " for our troops now engaged m war m Africa, and especially for the sick and wounded, and also for all to whom this war has brought or may bring gorrow or affliction. ' ' I oannot refrain from adding an expression of my hope that m the hearts of those who may join m this supplication there may be a thought | for the sufferings of the sick and wounded ; and mourners amongst those who, though ! contending against* us, are still our fellow* creatures and the children of our common God and Father. (ELECTEIO TELEGEAPH.-— COPY/BIGHT) SFKOrAt TO UNITED PBESB ASSOCIATION. London, May 15. The New South Wales contingent which is under orders to return to Aua. tralia shortly, have presented their troop horses to ths English Government. It is thought' probable that some of ths officers of the contingent may remain m England tor a time as guests of the Go* vernment. (eeuxek's telegrams.) Sydnby, Saturday. The nine-pounder battery with whioh the Colonial Artillery was armed by the Home Government on their arrival at Suakim, has been presented to New South Wales by the War Office. The Australian contingent embark for Sydney, either by Union Steamship Company's Arab, or Peninsular and Oriental Company's Deccan. It is understood -that the Hon. W. Bailey, has declined the honors offered him m recognition of his action m offering the services of the New South Wales contingent to England. London, May 15. In the House of Commons to-day, the Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State for War, stated m reply to a question, that Her .Majesty's Government did not regard it as either convenient or satisfactory for the Australian contingent to visit England.