THE EXPEDITION TO KHARTOUM. REINFORCEMENTS ON THE WAY. THE OPPOSITION AND THE EGYPTIAN POLICY. GENERAL STEWART DYING. THE BRITISH FORCES RETIRING. The Mahdi Advancing on Metammeh. ENGAGEMENT NEAR GUBAL. THE ACTION OF THE COLONIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1970, 21 February 1885, Page 2

THE EXPEDITION TO KHARTOUM. REINFORCEMENTS ON THE WAY. THE OPPOSITION AND THE EGYPTIAN POLICY. GENERAL STEWART DYING. THE BRITISH FORCES RETIRING. The Mahdi Advancing on Metammeh. ENGAGEMENT NEAR GUBAL. THE ACTION OF THE COLONIES.

[BY TKLKUR\PH.- COPYRIGHT.] [REUThK -i ThLM K\MS.J Cairo, February 17. Latest telegrams from Korti announce that Major-Gener.il Sir Evelyn Wood has gone to Gubat on the Nile, above Metammeh, and tliat Colonel Brackenbury has consequently succeeded to the command of the late General E.irle's column. London, February IS. The first batch of reinforcements has sailed for the Soudan. The Times to-day states the Opposition leaders have decided, on the meeting of Parliament, to propose a vote of want of confidence in the Government on their Egyptian policy. The following specials to the Press Association have b-»en published: — London, February 18. Five thouswd Arabs are reinforoing El Metunm^h. London, February 17. The Government will ask for a further vote of two millions for the Soudan expedition. Major - General Sir Herbert .Stewart, who was severely wounded near El Metammeh, is dying. [bedtek's telegrams.] Cairo, February 18. Intelligence has been received that the British troops on Saturday last abandoned Gubat, on the Nile, above Metammeh, and retired to Abukela, to the southward. The movement was effected without molestation from the enemy. It is possible the troops will further fall b-ick on Gakdul, w here more water is obtainable. It is reported that the Mahdi, with fifty thousand followers, has left Khartoum, and is marching on Metammeh. London, Febriuiy IS. j A telegram from Lor 1 Wokeley announces that the body of rebels acting as an escort t) a quantity of guns and supplies being sent from Khartoum to El Metammeh, came up with a British detachment which was convoying a puty of wounded at a point >ib >ut eight miles fiom Gubal. The rebels opened iire on the convoy, w Inch w.is responded to by the British, and after an hour's skiimish the enemy were dm en off and retired. London, February 18.

Her Majesty the Queen has, through Lord Derby, expressed to the various colonies a warm and grateful feeling for their ottered aid, which w.is a most s.itisf ictoiy expression of loyalty on their pait. It is believed that all the colonies, except New South Wales, ill be warned that any troops they may wish to send will piohably lie too Lite for any immediate campaign, but the decision in the matter will be left optional with the colonies. Wellington', Thuwlay. It is understood that the Government ha\ c received numerous communications from volunteers and others, urging that a New Zealand contingent for the Houdau should be formed, but (Tovernment do not consider it desirable to take any action in the matter.