AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1978, 30 April 1885, Page 2

AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

. (Reuter's Telegrams—Copykioht.) ADVANCE OF THE "RUSSIANS. London, April 29. Ia the House of Commons kt night / ° i Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, UnderSecretary for Foreign Affairs, an. nounced that the Government had received a telegram from Sir Peter Lumaden, dated Sunday, April 2Gih in which it is stated that the Russian troops were advancing up the ralley of the Murghab, and had occupied Marucliak. It is officially announced that the offer made by the New South Wales Government of the Colonial Soudan Contingent for service in India h.\s been accepted. The Standard this mornihg, publishes a telegram from its special correspondent with General Luuisden, to the effect that the Russian troops have opcupied Marnchak, a position on the rivep Murghab, twenty-miles South of Penj-Delj. No details, however, qre given with regard to the occurrence, Melbourne, April 29. The Government have notified to the Marine Departments of the various Coloniqs that, in the event of war being deolared between .England and Biliisia, tlie Port Bonsdale, the two Queenscliff, and the West and South Channel lights will lie extinguished, and the two pilot schooners withdrawn, United Press Association) • Dunedin, April 29. A most enthusiastic meeting was held this evening for the purpose of forming ft corps to assist in the defence. Bofore the close of the meet ■ ing, 189 names of those desirous of becoming members were handed in, and efforts are being made to form two companies consisting principally of men who were at one time Volunteers. Ciibistchurch, April 29. Public meetings were held yesterday, when it was decided to form Volunteer corps at Kaiapoi and Sefton. Tonight, nt a meeting of Irishmen in the city, convened by Mr R. Holmes, M.H.R., steps were taken to establish an Irish Brigade. The defence works at Lytlelton are being pushed forward as fast as possible, t|jo men \yorkii|g c|ay ant) night. At a meeting of miHnbers of the Ijoating clubs jast night, it was resolved to form a rifle corps, and 11 signed as willing to join. Auckland,-April 29. Captain »n4 18 armed constabulary, lately employed at road making at Kawhia, have arrived to proceed to the North Head for big gun drill. ' The number of men at work on the fortifications has been reduced to 200. By the end of the week the whole of the heavy guns in the batteries will bo mounted. Wehinhtqn, this day, The Government some time hack sont home an order for sevoral ninepounder field guns, and these are now on the way to the colony and will be distributed over the various centres. Che Government are experiencing great difficulty 111 having their orders for torpedoes fulfilled, owing to tho enormous strain placed on the English manufacturers in supplying the demand of the Imperial Government. The Imperial authorities have, however, allowed New Zealand and New South Wales to participate in their orders, and they eonsequently will be supplied with a few torpedoes as they are completed. It is now believed that tho vessel seen off Wakapuaka on Sunday last was an English man-of-man, It is known that Admiral Tryon, in charge of the Australian squadron, has recoived instructions in connection with the

protection to be offered to colonial commerce, and it is also known that some of tho vessels under his flag are cruising in these waters under sealed orders, and it is more than likely that the vessel seen was one of these, which

just stood in towards the land and then cleared away again. One or moreof these vessels may be expected to put in an appearance at New Zea. land ports within two or three days, where arrangements have been made for them to coal. It has been decided that no more Commissions are to be issued to officers of Militia and Volunteers,-up to aud including the rank of Captain, except provisionally, and then these will lapse unless a satisfactory examination is passed by officers within three •months. Tho Guvcrnment propose, with th ? co-operation of the medical profession,, to organise an 'effective ambulance corps at each chiet centre of population, and it is hoped that ladies will co-operate and form a Red Cross. Society, -' Sub-marine mines for defence purposes will arrive in the colony. in a day or two. These are intended to be laid at principal ports, and also at coal hacbdurs,