THE NEW SOUTH WALES SOUDAN EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7268, 5 March 1885, Page 6

THE NEW SOUTH WALES SOUDAN EXPEDITION.

From the copious news now published in the Sydney Morning Herald respecting the preparations for the despatch of the Soudan expedition from Sydney, we select the following items :— Messrs. John McGee and Co., Melbourne, send through their Sydney agent, Mr. W. J. McLeod, for the use of the troops in Africa, 20 cases of Imperial quarts of Balmoral Blend old Scotch whisky. Mr. John Noake has given 600 briarwood pipes for the nee of the contingent for the Soudan. The donation, has been accepted witLt thanks. Mr. Arthur Heaphy has written to the Colonial Secretary tendering, in addition to his former offer, five guineas yearly for five years to a colonist mentioned in despatches, and 20 guineas yearly for five years to ooloiaiat winning the Victoria Cross. Mr. J£mil Rose, of Pitt-street, has presented some field and marine glasses for the use of officers oi the expedition. Mr. Vial, coachbuiider, of Castlereaghstreet, has intimated that his employe's are desirous of presenting a perfectly constructed and fitted ambulance car, and that he is prepared to give a donation to the Patriotic Fund. Mr, J. A. Wilkinson, of George-street, has presented, for the use of the troops, 25 cages of claret. The Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company have given 50 cases, containing 600 bottles of American hop bittern The horse contingent bae received every attention from able and well-informed authorities, and those who have seen the equine heroes agree that there are amongst them as fine a lot of horses as ever have been assembled in the colonies. The Sydney Omnibus Company supplied fifty in a bench, and most of the others came from the Hunter, Goulburn, Blayney, and Albury. More than 200 have already been collected, and tht prices paid ranged from £25 to £45. The gentlemen chosen to procure them have wisely selected horses aged from five to nine years. They are principally composed of bays and greys. His Honor Mr. District Court Judge McFarland writes to ask if it is true that Mr. Dalley has decided not to permit chaplains to accompany the force to the Soudan, and expresses the opinion that the people of New bouth Wales should not allow a man of the aentingent to leave the colony until chaplain* have been provided, both for the Catholic and Protestant members of the force. We learn that an offer has been made by the parish of St. John's, Darlinghurst. to place at the disposal of the Commandant 500 copies of the Book of Common Prayer, with hymns for the use of the troops proceeding to the Soudan, and that the offer has been accepted. The original offer inclnded also 500 New Testaments; but the parish learning that the New South Wales auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was anxious to make a> similar presentation, withdrew this part of their offer.to enable the auxiliary to follow the course regularly adopted by the parent society, Messrs. Harbottle, Alsop, and Co, of 89, Pitt-street, Sydney, have presented, on behalf of their London house, 30 cases of Mr. Henry White's Bed Heart rum, and on their own behalf a like quantity of Burke's Schiedam schnapps. The gift has been gratefully acknowledged. Mrs. K. H. D. White is engaged in the very thoughtfulfand useful work of making 400 sewing-oases or house:wives for the use of ths iroops. The same lady offered to make the colours for the contingent, but the offcr waa inclined. The Brisbane correspondent of the Sydney Mivning Herald, speaking of the eagerness which prevails there to send a force to the Soudan, says that " If the Soudan campaign continues, a body of recruits could be raised in our north-western districts for whom the climate of Khartoum, even at midsummer, would have no terrors." Mr. Sands has contributed towards Sir E. Strickland's fund for procuring comforts for the Australian troops two gross oi playing cards of the value of £25. The Australian contingent for the Soudan will receive 31bs. 2ozs. solid food per man daily during the Soudan campaign.