THE SOUDAN WAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4199, 26 January 1885, Page 3

THE SOUDAN WAR.

+ LATEST MOVEMENTS. ANXIETY FOR COL. STEWART. Lo..TDON, oan. 25. Lord Wolseley has telegraphed to the Government that Gen. Earle's column has reached Hamnab, and started for Berber, via Abu Hamed. Gen. Earle had collected his forces at a point 35 miles beyond Hamnab. The absence of any news from Colonel Stewart since his battle with the enemy near Abukela is causing some anxiety. Press Association telegrams give the following further details of the late battle : — Particulars of the engagement between the rebels and the British troops under Colonel Sir Herbert Stewart, near Gakdul, show that when distant a quarter of a mile <from the English Hues the Arab 3 charged in Splendid line with, banners waving. Amongst those killed was the Emir of El Metemneh. The Emir of Berber received a wound from a spear thrust. Several of the men under Colonel Burnaby and a great many camels were speared by the Arabs.. The Arabs, having formed a. square, were charged by the marines, who killed every Arab composing the square. Great tactical.; skill and bravery was shown by the Arabs. The heaviest loss of the English Was six officers and 46 men killed ; a Gardener gun •was also disabled. The sailors, in their charge on the square, lost two officers. The country in which the engagement took place was very rocky and rugged. The rebels nnder El Mahdi have captured Onderman. Later information from Gakdul in reference to the engagement, states that the English were enticed into a difficult position when the Arabs charged the front line, but were repulsed. They then furiously attacked the left rear. At the onset the "Heavies" broke, but quickly rallied. The Guards and Light Infantry then opened up a murderous fire on the enemy. It is estimated the Arab loss was 1200 killedVand wounded. Colonel Sir Herbert Stewart's horse was killed under him. The rebels have retired to El Metemneh.

Aropeta Raroa, one of the witnesses called for the defence in the case Cameron v". Tihema, for insulting language, was arrested by the Magistrate's order on Saturr day afternoon for committing perjury. The i prisoner in the evidence he gave swore (after being cautioned) that Tihema never used bad ; language to Cameron, although Mr Cameron and his witness Bwore that bad language •was used, and even one of the witnesses called for the defence corroborated Mr Cameron. The prisoner was brought up od Saturday afternoon and remanded until Wednesday.