BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2465, 11 February 1881, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reuter’s Agency, j The Boor War. Cape Town, Feb. 8. News has been received from Natal that the Boers have stopped the mail between Sir George Colley’s camp at Langsack, and head quarters at Newcastle. All reinforcements from England and India have now arrived at Durban, Natal, and the troops will proceed to the front without delay. Further news to hand from Natal states that since the stoppage of the mail between Langsack and Newcastle, General Sir George Colley has despatched a force to clear the road of Boers. Feb. 9. Later intelligence from Governor Sir George Colley, now' in the Transvaal, announces that his force has successfully attacked and defeated a large body of Boers, whom it encountered between Newcastle and the Ingogo. The British loss in the fight was 150 killed and wounded. Both sides suffered severely, but the enemy were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and withdrew at sunset. The British troops then returned to camp, where General Colley hopes to maintain his position until the arrival of reinforcements.

Coercion Carried. London, Feb. 9. In the House of Commons last night, the Irish Coercion Bill was read a second time, on a division showing a majority of 300 to Government.

Preparing for the Niggers. In view of possible hostilities with the Ashantecs, Her Majesty’s corvette Champion, fourteen guns, has been ordered to the Gold Coast, where she will organise a Naval Brigade for service in Asbantee.

Russian Intrigues

Accoridng to official documents which have been published, General Sir Frederick Roberts discovered, while in occupation at Cabul, a secret treaty foi an offensive and defence alliance signed between Russia and the Ameer, and dated August, 1878 ; also a letter Irom the Russian General Solticoff (sic), dated October of the same year, advising Shere AH to sue for peace with England, but at the same time to secretly prepare for war. Other papers wh'cli were found, moreover, show that the Russian policy included measures to incite an armed rebellion of Malionimedans in India,

Crisis in Spain.

Madrid, Feb. 8

A Ministerial crisis has occurred here, and a new Cabinet is being formed by Senor Sagasta. Marshal Campos will take the portfolio of Minister of War.