Advance of the Khartoum Expedition.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 81, 20 December 1884, Page 3

Advance of the Khartoum Expedition.

The British expedition has set out on another stage of its toilsome march to Khartoum, in pursuanceof the determination of Lord Wolseley to remove the headquarters from Dongola to Ambukol. A cabie message states that the Mounted Infantry, Guards, and Camel Corps havo left for Koiti, near Ambukol. The place indicated, which is printed "Korti" on the map, is much more suitable than Dongola for the starting-point of the expedition across the desert. At that place the caravan route to Khartoum leaves the Nile, and cutting across the country, strikes the river again at El Hadjir, a short distance above the Sixth Cataract, whence it follows the valley of the Nile for about fifty miles until Khartoum is reached. There is from Ambukol a march of about 200 miles yet to be undertaken before the expedition can reach Khartoum, and the difficulties in the way can hardly be exaggerated. From Cairo to Khartoum is a little over a thousand miles, or about the length of New Zealand j yet to compass three-fifths of that distance has absorbed much time and exertion. Authorities further declare that the real work of the expedition has only commenced, and, while it is no doubt right to speak of Lord Wolseley as making "a dash across the desert," it is apparent that the advance will be tedious, difficult, and dangerous, as much from the nature of the country as from the opposition of the rebel hordes who infest it.

Government are talking of reforming the police force, and yet the Government is not Hercules.