LATEST CABLEGRAMS

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1359, 8 February 1884, Page 2

L A T E S T CABLEGRAMS

♦ (PER REUTER'S AGENOr. )" Eeceived Feb. 5, 10 p.m. Sydnky, 5. Sailed — Ringarooma, for Auckland. At a public meeting which has been held here to consider the scheme of taxation recently announced in Parliament, resolutions have been adopted condemning the proposals of the Colonial Treasurer. Meetings with the same object are being held throughout the colony. Dry weather is now being generally experienced in this colony. Melbourne, 5. Sailed— Te Anau, for Bluff. Arrived — P. and 0. steamship Eosetta, with the inward Brindisi mails, dated London, December 28. Martini-Henry is first favorite at 6 to 4 in the betting on the Champion Stakes, to be run for at the V.E.C autumn meeting on March Bth. Commotion, 8 to 1. Received Feb. 6, 11 a.m. Calcutta, 5. The returns of the attendance at the exhibition show that up to date half a million persons paid for admission. As interest in the display shows no sign of lessening, the closing will pi'obably be postponed for a fortnight beyond the date originally fixed. The awards, which are being declared by the various juries, are giving general satisfaction to exhibitors. A farewell luncheon was given to-day to Mr Bosisto, Victorian Commissioner, and in a speech on the occasion he expressedhis complete satisfaction with the proposed scheme for a line of direct 3teamers between India and Australia, and stated his belief that such a service would be likely to succeed. London, 5. The fifth session of the present Parliament was opened to-day by Royal Commission. The Eoyal Message, as read by the Lord High Chancellor, agrees with the forecast already telegraphed, except in so far as the latter referred to Egypt. On this

subject the Speech states that the proposed withdrawal of British troops from that country has been cancelled as a measure of precaution against the possible effects of a reverse to the Egyptian arms in Egypt itself. So far as British occupation is concerned, the aim of such occupation is, the Speech adds, unchanged. Sydney, 6. In the Legislative Assembly to-night Wisdom tendered an apology for the part he had taken in the disturbance which occurred in the Chamber on the Ist inst. On the motion of the Premier Wisdom's apology was, after some debate, accepted by the House. Received Fc-b. 6, 1.30 a.m. London, 5. The following is a forecast of the Queen's Speech, to be delivered at the opening of the Imperial Parliament today. The Speech states that the relations with foreign Powers continue friendly. It regrets that events in Soudan have delayed the withdrawal of British troops from Egypt, which, however, is still intended. It hopes that the measures which have recently been taken will solve the difficulty without the necessity of armed intervention, and that Colonel Gordon will I shortly , discover the best means for J the evacuation of Soudan. The difficulty which arose in Madagascar had been satisfactorily arranged with Prance. Hopes of a happy settlement of the Transvaal frontier question were enterfjained, and the disorder which had arisen in Zululand has been overcome, and that country is now in a satisfactory condition. The state of affairs in Ireland show signs of steady improvement. The Speech announces that bills will be introduced for dealing with county franchise, London municipal reform, and local self-government, and the renewal of Sunday closing regulations in Ireland. Eeceived Feb. 7, 1 a.m. Cairo, 5. Farther details to hand from Soukim regarding the defeat of Baker Pasha's forces 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 ignominously. The European and Turkish detachments stood their ground, but were overpoweredj and outnumbered and were cut to pieces. Much alarm was felt at Soukim at the success of the followers of El Mahdi, and a force of marines landed from the British Avar vessels lying off the town in order to prevent a panic occurring among the inhabitants. The defeat of Baker Pasha's troops rendered the relief of the beleagured garrisons at Sincat and Tokar hopeless. London, 5. The Sydney portion of the cargo of frozen meat ex Steamship Cuzcb, consisting of 2,020 carcasses of mutton, has been sold at an average of 4fd to 5d per Ib. The meat was in good condition. - In view of the recent reverse sustained by the Egyptian troops under Baker Pasha in his operations against the Arab rebels near Soukim, orders have been issued for the detention until further notice of the troopships now on the way to India. It is not, however, known whether the Government had decided to land any troops on the West Coast of the Eed Sea, or to undertake the defence of 6 Soukim against the rebels. In the House of Commons yesterday afternoon an amendment proposed by Bourke to the Address in Eeply condemning the Egyptian policy of the Government. was under consideration, but failed to meet with much support, and was rejected by a substantial majority, prior to the dinner hour of adjournment. The Address in Reply to the Queen's Speech was voted by the House of Lords without much discussion yesterday. Eeceived Feb. 7, 1.10 p,m. Sydnky, 7. It is announced that it is the intention of Government to propose some modifications in the scheme of taxation set forth by the Treasurer. The budget stated that personal effects such as furniture and wearing apparel, will be exempt from property tax, and that the limit of exemption will be increased to £500. It further stated that the tax will be fixed at a half -penny in M, instead of a penny as proposed. Melbourne, 7. Arrived — Tarawera. The Marchionness of "Normanby is now slightly better, but still seriously ill. Cairo, 6. Baker Pasha telegraphs from Soukim that his assailants near Tokar numbered under a thousand. London, 6. In the House of Commons to-day Gladstone announced that Government had ordered that measures should be immediately taken to reinforce the Indian squadron at Soaulum, unde r

Admiral Hewitt, with a view of protect that town from the land side, by a force of marines and sailors. Eeceived Feb. 6, 8 p.m. London, 5. In the House of Commons to-day, the Eight Honorable E. Bourke M.P. proposed an amendment to the Address in Ueply, stating in effect that the policy of the Government in Egypt had proved a failure. Storeley Hill, M.P. for West Staffordshire, has given notice of motion for the adoption of an Address to the Queen, urging that the Colonies should be represented in the Council of the Empire. Cairo, 5. Intelligence is to hand from Soukim, reporting that Baker Pasha made an advance for the purpose of relieving the garrison at Loscar, but was attacked near the latter place by a strong force of Arab rebels. An engagement took place which resulted in the defeat of the Egyptian troops, with the loss of 2,000 men, four Krup guns and a gatling gun. Baker Pasha is now returning to Soukim with the remainder of his force, finding further advance impossible.