CABLEGRAMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 8 February 1884, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

Reuter's Telegrams, by electric telegraph,—copyright, SYDNEY, Thursday. Received February 7, 1.10 ■p.m.— It-is announced that it is the intention of the Government to propose some modifications in the scheme of taxation set forth in tho Treasurer's budget, It is stated that personal efiects, such as furniture and wearing apparel, will bo exempt from Property Tax, and that the limit of exemption will be increased to £SOO. It is further stated that the 'tax' will be fixed at a half penny, CAIRO, February 5, Intelligence is to hand from Souar kiui, reporting that Baker Pasha made an advance lor tho purpose of relieving the garrison at Tokar, but was attacked near, the latter place by a strong foree .of Arab rebels. An engagement took place, which resulted in the defeat of theßgyptian troops, with a loss of 2000 men, four Krupp guns, and a Gatling gun. Baker Pasha is now returning to Souakim with the remainder of his force, finding further advance impossible. 1 LONDON, February 5. The Sydney portion of the cargo of frozen meat ex steamship Ctizco, consisting of 2025 carcases of mutton, has been sold at an average of 4|d to 5d per lb. The meat was in good condition. In view of the recent reverse sustained by the Egyptian troops under Baker Pasha in his operation against •the Arab rebels near Souakim, orders have been issued for tho detention until further notice of the troopships : now on their way to India. It is not, however, known whether tho Government had decided to land any troops , on the West Coast of the Red Sea or to undertake the defence of Souakim against the rebels. L. LONDON, February 5, Received February 6, 8.0 p.m. —ln the House of Commons to-day, the Right Hon. : .R,Bourke, M.P. for Sing's Linn, proposed an amendment ■toi -the Address in Reply, stating in ■dffeet that the policy of the Govern'iifjjtih Egypt had proved a failure. ;/ f y-.'Stavely, M,P. for West Staffordshire, has given notice a motion for .th?,;.adoption of an address to the Queen, urging that the colonies should beTopresented in the Council of the jßrrjmre. 1 {Received February 7, 1.0 aim.— !ln;,the House of Commons yesterday afternoen, the amendment proposed by Mf : Bourko to the Address in Reply,condemning the Egyptian policy of the Government, was under consideration, But failed to meet with much support, and : was rejected by a substantial ! majority at the.dinner hour adjournment.

The Address in Reply to tho Queen's Speech was voted by tho House of Lords withe-ut much discussion yesterday, CAIRO, "'February-5. ■ Further details to had from Souakim regarding tho defeat of Baker Pasha's force by the Arabs, show that •the Egyptian troops, of which his force largely consisted, proved utterly untrustworthy, and when called upon to advance against the enemy refused to fight,; and fled ignominiously, The European and Turkish detachments stood their ground, but were overpowered and outnumbered, and were cut to pieces, Much alarm was felt at Souakim at the success of the followers of El MaM, and a force of marines was landed .from the British war vessels lying off the town in order to prevent a panie occurring among the inhabitants.

The defeat of' Baker Pasha's troops has rendered the relief of the beleaguered garrisons at Sinkat/and Mar hopeless

LONDON, , February. 5Received February 7,12.15 p.m.— The market rate of discount advanced 1%, and is now equal with bank rate, viz., 3%. Colonial breadstuffs continue quiet, but steady at last quotation, viz, Adelaide.wheat, 445.; New Zealand, 36s to 425; Adelaide flour, 31s, all ex store, Tallow: Australian, fair average quality, remains 39s for beef; 42s for mutlon,

CAIRO,February 6. Baker Pasha telegraphs from the Soudan that his assailants near Mar numbered under a thousand; . LONDON, February 6. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Gladstone announced that the Government had ordered that measures should immediately be taken to reinforce the Indian squadron at Souakin, under Admiral Hewitt, with a view to the protection of that town from tho land side.by a forco of marines and sailors,