THE SOUDAN CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7006, 1 May 1884, Page 5

THE SOUDAN CRISIS.

THREATENED ADVANCE ON ASSOUAN; ,' ; ' [eeuteb's telegrams.] Cairo, April 29. Emboldened by the disaffection- of the garrison at Berber, and the conn-, tenance which he is now receiving from the Nubian rebel tribes, Osman Digna, representing the Mahdi in the Eastern Soudaii, is rapidly collecting supplies and - men, and threatens that he will advance upon Assouan, a border town in Egypt proper at the firsb cataract on the Nile. In view'of the recent refusal of the British Government to despatch an expedition into the Soudan, the threats of the Arab chiefs are causing great uneasiness here. THE EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE. [PJBBSS ASSOCIATION.] London, April 30. The Government of Italy and Russia have agreed to join the proposed Conference of Powers to take under consideration Egyptian affairs.

CHOLERA ON A BRITISH TROOPSHIP. London, April 29. The troopship Crocodile has arrived at Portsmouth, with the cholera on board, six cases and three deaths having occurred since she left Suez. •■ . - London, April ■ 30. The cholera patients on board H.M. transport Crocodile are all recovering, and the troops which the vessel brought home have been, landed. It is expected that no further cases will how occur. THE TASMANIAN LOAN. London, April 29. The loan of £800,000 for the Tasmanian Government is announced today. The rateof interest is 4 per cent., and the minimum is fixed at 98. Tenders are to be opened on the 7th of May. THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY AND FEMALE STUDENTS. London, April 29. The Hebdomadal Council of the University of Oxford has passed a resolution approving of the admission of women to examinations for • University honours.

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS. London, April 30. The P. and O. steamship Sutlej, with the remainder of the Australian cricketers, arrived at Plymouth on Monday evening. DEATH OF SIR MICHAEL COSTA. London, April 30. The. death is announced of Sir Michael Costa, the eminent musician, aged 74. DEATH OF AN M.P. London, April 30. The death is announced of Sir Michael Arthur Bass,. M.P. for East Staffordshire, aged 47. OPENING OF THE WOOL SALES. London, April 29. The second of the year's series of colonial wool auctions opened to-day, before a large number of home and foreign buyers. The catalogue comprised 8700 bales, for which a fair demand was experienced, cross-breds ruling at about closing rates of last auction. The quantity "to be "offered during the series is limited to 370,000 bales. The sales will close on the 18th June. Australian merino wools are ruling from the closing rates last sales to id lower. A Press Association message says : —Messrs. Charles Balme and Son and Messrs. Jacomb and Co. issue well assorted catalogues, comprising 8600 bales. There was a good attendance of buyers at the opening sale, and cross-bred wools proved firm. Other descriptions were 5 per cent, lower than the closing prices of last series. The arrivals to date amount to 345,000 bales, and the list remrins open until it reaches 400,000.

LONDON MARKETS. London, April 29.. Consols have f nrther' declined -J-, and are now quoted at 101 f. New Zealand securities remain at the following quotations :—5 per cent. 10-40 loan, 103f; 5 per cent. 1889 loan, 105; 4£ per cent. 1879-1904 loan, 101f; 4 percent, inscribed stock, 101 J. The wheat market continues dull. Adelaide, ex store, is 43s ; New Zealand ditto, 35s to 40s; Adelaide flour, ex store, 28s. Australian tallow : beef, 36s 6d; mutton, 395.