THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 54, 5 March 1900, Page 5

THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.

CABLE FROM THE NATAL PREMIER.

The Premier of New Zealand (the Hon. Mr Seddon) received the following cablegram from the Premier of Natal in reply- to the cable sent from Te Aroha. "Natal sends grateful thanks to New Zealand for Kind and hearty congratulations on relief of Ladysm.it h and for sympathetic references to Natal volunteers. The action of New Zealand, in common with the other colonies, in so promptly coming to the aid of the Mother Country and of their fellow colonies in their hour of need is deeply appreciated throughout Soul It Africa, and will have the effect of strengthening- the ties which unite the colonies to the Empire and to one another.— , Premier, Natal, Pietermartizburg."

DUNEDIN, this day

Lieut. Fulton has been promoted to be Acting-Captain of the Otago Southland section of the fourth contingent. Sixty-six men were taken out this morning for the riding test. As many as pass will be pretty certain to be in the final selection.

CONGRATULATORY CABLEGRAMS.

Tin's morning the Premier sent the following message to the chairmen of school committees and the head masters of schools throughout the colony:

"Having-, as requested, forwarded on behalf of the school children of New Zealand a congratulatory message to Field Marshal Roberts on the recent successes of the British arms in South Africa, and particularly on the surrender of General Cronje, I have now received the following reply, sent from Oifontein at 4.5 p.m. on the 2nd instant: —'Please convey to the school children of New Zealand my best thanks for tho congratulations and good wishes.—Roberts.' It affords me much pleasure to send you the message, which I hope you -will be so good as to have read to the children of your school."

'Che Premier has also received the following cablegrams: — From Lord Roberts:—"! thank you and tho people of New Zealand most sincerely for your kind ' congratulations on the surrender of Cronje. _ I heartily appreciate the presence with this force of the troops from New Zealand, who are doing excellent service, and I am delighted to hear that two more contingents are leaving for South Africa in a few days.—Roberts. Oifontein."

Copy of cable received by the Premier from the Premier of Natal:—• "Natal sends grateful thanks to New Zealand for kind and hearty congratulations on relief of Ladysmith and for sympathetic references^ to Natal volunteers. The action of New Zealand in common with the other colonies in so promptly coming to the aid of 'the Mother Country and of their fellow colonies, in the hour of need is deeply appreciated throughout South Africa', and will have the effect of strengthening the lies which unite the colonies to the Empire and to one • another.—(Signed) Premier of Natal, Pietermaritzburg."