WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1317, 19 March 1885, Page 1

WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

London, March 15, Special services have been held in all theUathedrals, ia connection with the death of General Gordon.

March 16. The absence of water transports is delaying the advance of LieutenantGeneral Sir Gerald Graham. Cairo, March 15. Zebehr’s son and three others hare been arrested on suspicion of being con- v cerned in the communications which it is believed have taken place between Zebehr and the Mahdi,

Liter. Zebehr Pasha and bod, and three other prisoners,* have been taken in HLM, S , Iris to Cyprus. Reports are current here that KassaW has been taken by the rebels, and the Egyptian garrison massacred ; also, that a rebellion has broken out in Kordofan, and the Mahdi has sent troops to quell it.

Sydney, March 16.

Parliament meets to-morrow, wh nit is expected that a Bill of indemnity in connection with the Soudan contingent will be carried by a large majority, .but only after a sharp debate.

March 17.

The New South Wales Parliament was opened to-day by Lord Augustus Loftus. The Governor, in a speech to the members of the Legislative Assembly, said they were called together to take the necessary steps to give the. Legislative sanction to the course adopted by the Minislry in conveying to England an offer of assistance in the Soudan. Government, in making the offer, considered' it necessary in the critical state of affairs, that help should be immediately available, as any delay would have bad the effect of rendering them useless. His Excellency expressed iiis highest gratification at - the course pursued, which had awakened feelings of loyalty in all the Australian Colonies, and had evoked sentiments of admiration and gratitude in the Mother Country.

In the Legislative Assembly this afternoon Mr Badgon moved an Address-ia-Reply to the Governor’s speech, and Mr Henry Clarke moved an amendment to the effect that the action of the Government was unconstitutional. He regretted the duty of proposing the amendment had not fallen into better hands, but as Sir John Robertson bad expressed bis ii-tmion to SU) port the Government in the matter, he had been chosen by a number of the Opposition members. The division on the motion is not likely to be taken before morning.