KIMBERLEY'S RELIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 42, 19 February 1900, Page 5

KIMBERLEY'S RELIEF.

Enemy Entirely Taken By Surprise.

BRITISH OCCUPY MAGERSFONTEIN TRENCHEF

BOER ARMY IN RETREAT,

Kelly-Kenny's Division Encounters Cronje's Command.

FIGHTING CONTINUES.

THE RETIREMENT TO ARUNDEL

TWO COMPANIES OF WILTSHIRES CAPTURED.

[N".Z. Press Association.—-Copyright.]

CAPETOWN, February 10,

French's splendid advance completely surprised the enemy. At Rondeskarl Drift he captured a large number of cattle nnd 2000 sheep. Previous to General French's arrival at Kimberley the Boers evacuated Alexandersfontein, Colonel Kekewich occupying the position.

Mounted troopers occupy the positions in General French's rear. General French covered 75- miles in four days, encumbered by a ■supply train, and fought two engagements.LONDON, February 17. Kimberley frantically welcomed General French. The news of the relief of Kimberley was received with remarkable outbursts of enthusiasm at Durban, Maritzburg, and Toronto. ; At Capetown the crowds sang patriotic songs, and ovated Sir A. Miliier, abd hooted unpopular members of the Ministry. _'.-.___ The Queen and the nation are pleased and thankful. The crowds around the War Office and the London Stock Exchange showed demonstrations of delight. General French and Colonel Kekevich have been promoted, having the respective local ranks of majorgeneral and colonel confirmed. SYDNEY, February 18. Air Lyne has cabled to Mr Chamberlain, and Sir A. Milner, congratulating them upon the relief of Kimberley. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. His Excellency the Governor has sent the following cable to Loid Roberts:—"People of New Zealand offer very hearty congratulations on the relief of Kimberley." WELLINGTON, this day. The Governor has received the following from Lord Roberts, dated Jacobsdaal, 18th: "Please accept yourself and offer'to the New Zealand people the warmest thanks of-myself, and the army in South Africa for the" kind congratulatory telegram. The New Zealand contingent has already done splendid work. I could not.wish for better soldiers, and the additional force New Zealand is sending will be most warmly welcomed.— ROBERTS.': LONDON, February 17. Later particulars - show .that the army responded magnificently to lord Roberts' appeal, the movement, involving heavy marching. j The obstacles were water supply: ond transport.

Skirmishers and artillery fire in-, fiicted losses oh the retiring Boers,, preceding the occupation of Jacobsdaal, which is full of wounded, including a number of Britishers from Rendsberg. The Boers held Jacobsdaal until General Kelly-Kenny outflanked them, driving them out with heavy loss across the Modder River. •

Many prisoners Avere taken. Lord" Roberts complimented the Lord Mayor's Imperial Regiments for their gallantry at Jacobsdaal. General Tucker drove the Boers across the Riet River, east of Koppevfontein. General Colville's division followed up the advantage. Lord Roberts telegraphed that he had good reason to believe that Magersfontein had been abandoned, anti that the Boers were endeavouring to escape. General French is scouring the country south of Kimberley, while one of General Kelly-Kenny's brigade is pursuing a very large convoy in the direction of Bloemfontein.

A large force of Rendsberg;'.Boers, with 10 guns, on their way to reihfore'e Cronje, were intercepted... - A convoy of 200 waggons at the Eiet River was captured after a hot jßght. the British casualties being 30.

LONDON, February IS

General Kelly-Kenny, on the 10th inst., captured 78 Waggons, laden with stores, Mausers and shells. Owing to his oxen becoming fatigued, Cronje, in the retreat from Magersfontein, outspanned and formed a laager, which ' General Keli}'Kenny is now shelling. .The. heat is intense, the hordes of theßritish troops suffering severely. ... CAPETOWN, February 17.

Lord .Roberts is much gratified, at the admirable hospital arrangements at. Jacobsdaal of the German ambulance;: and Drs. Kaetner and Hildcbrand, who showed the greatest, kindnesstoour wounded, equally with the wounded Boers. Two officers and 35 of our mounted men, who were wounded .and subsequently made prisoner.?, are at Jacobsdaal.