LATEST SPECIAL CABLE NEWS.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1549, 18 May 1885, Page 2

LATEST SPECIAL CABLE NEWS.

♦ London, May 6. Sir James Ferguston, formerly Governor of South Australia, is seeking election and announced his candidature for Manchester. i The Conservative and Irish members are opposed to the arrangement entered into with Russia, but the Liberal, members approve of it In consequence of the improved prospects of peace wheat has fallen 2s. per quarter. The Sydney Evening News correspondent, telegraphing from Suakim on Maj 6th, states that a recounaisance was made last ni|*ht exbeudiug t e

Thalkab, * ««tivo village some mile's beyond Hasheen. The force making the reconnaisanco was .composed of camelry, including the lately formed New South Wales corps, the mounted •infantry, and tho Bengal Lancers. After maching throughout the night, taking the utmost care to guard against surprise, and having scouts well in front and flank the troops arrived at Thalkub just as day was dawning. The natives at once showed a hostile front, and being attacked by our men a pret'y sharp encounter ensued, dur ir% which fifty of the *nemy were killed and a great number wounded. Twelve were taken prisoners. Two hundred goats and a number of donkeys were taken possession of. Tlie Arabs retired beaten and escaped into tho mountains, where of course they were not followed up, the British force being only a small one, and the object of the reconnaisauce'so far being fully attained.' -^he village was burned and tho return march was begun. That tho return march was begun none tod soon was shewn by what happened to the Sydney press correspondents. Directly the fight at Thateub was terminated they immediately rode back to. Haskeen Co convey the news. Before they had gene far they became unpleasantly aware that they were being watched and followed by Arab scouts, who closed in upon them and brandishing spears like assegais and firing rifles, Tbe Arabs were on camels, and it became a case of sauve guipuet with the newspaper men. They sat down in their saddles, rammed home their persuaders, and did the fastest match against time and Arab camels that they had thought possible. As it was, they had a pretty narrow squeak for it, as the children of the desert succeeded in getting tolerably close to them once, and bullets, spears and camel sticks flew around them as thickly as the rice and flowers that were strewn upon the ceritingent when it inarched down Sydney streets, but the newspaper men escaped, though not wholly scathlnss, however, for Mr Lara hie of the Sydney Morning Herald was wounded in the leg. The affair was quite lively enough for the correspondents, however. The casualties among the troops during the reeonnaisance and fight wer* not serious, only three men having been wounded and none of these belonged to the New South Wales contingent. A second reeonnaisance will probably be made, Lonj»on, May 7. The Queensland,. Victorian, andTasmanian Government; protest against clause 31 of the Federation Bill, providing for the withdrawal of a colony. The shipment of Australian grapes by the Chimberazo are only marketable for distillery purposes. • Souaktm, May 8. Lord Wolsoley reviewed the- troops here this morning. The New South Wales Infantry, Ambulance, and Transport Corps did admirably. After the march' past, the whole column advanced in review- order. Lord Wolseley then sent for the commanding officers, and after addressing then, spoke to Colonel Richardson, Commandant of the New South " Wales Contingent, in the most gratifying terms, and said he was highly pleased, not only at the physique of the men, but at the way they had turned out which reflected great credit on all ths officers. The colony was to be coagratulated on its I'tyalty in sending men ta the assistance ef the mother country. Colonel Richardson says that the remarks that fell from Lord Wolseley with reference to tho colonial men are the most handsome he has ever heard from a general officer. Major General Lyon Freemantle, in command of the Guards, also expressed himself highly pleased at the way the colonials had marched, and they might well feel proud after what had been said by Lord Walseley. The artillery at Handoub was inspected by Lord Wolseley on Wednesday, and he referred in satisfactory . terms to them. He noticed the ambulance waggons favorably, and said they were of good pattern, and well fitted for service. The heat is increasing. May 9. While visiting the Ganges nn Thursday, Lord Walseley specially noticed the Australian patients, and spoke in a kind and cheering manner to them.* - Heavy rain falls all night.