SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1906, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

CABLE NEWS.

FURTHER ZULU FIGHTING. CHINESE ON THE RAND. DISGUSTED AUSTRALIANS. [BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.] [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PIETERMARITZBURG, May 20. Lieut.-Colonel Leuchar’s force killed six Zulu rebels on the outskirts of the McAla bush, on the Tugela River, in a light near Cetawayo’s grave. The enemy were driven into tho forest. Some while leaving tho scene of tho fighting were surprised and captured. Colonel MacKeuzio has begun extensive operations. Twenty one of Siganada’s and Silivana’s followers have surrendered. Tho Natal Mercury, in an apparently inspired article, declares that the presence of warships at Durban at the outset of the trouble would have dispelled the idea that Britain was holding aloof. Even now a parade of bluejackets and guns in tho streets would have an excellent moral cf- ; feet. CAPETOWN, May 18. Six Chinese in tho Transvaal have applied for repatriation. LONDON, May 18. Sir 11. C. Bannerman received a deputation of members of tho House of Commons, including Messrs Seely, McKavnes, Lehmann, T. Russell and Dalziel, regarding tho Chinese on the Rand. ' The proceedings were secret, but it is understood that ii was urged to forcibly repatriate the Chinese in batches, since the proclamation had been without result.

'I ho Daily Chronicle states that a policy of “clean sweep” is impossible as it would create an economic crisis and inflict, grave injury on the innocent. It would be better to await (he new Government’s decision, which probably would decide on repatriation. ADELAIDE, May 19. Another contingent of dissatitied Australians artisans and tradesmen who proceeded to South Africa at tho cessation of hostilities, has returned. 1 hoy were bitterly disappointed; wages are low, living is expensive, while everywhere Australians are blackguarded, and (bey bail no peace of mind night or day. It, was practically impossible to obtain employment for tho merest pittance. PIETER,MARITZBITit!, .May 20. Lkadhla and Fort Tolland columns have junctioned til Cotewayo’s grave. Twelve of Bam baa la’s rebels were killed in a rearguard action at Marco Dewal.

BAMBAATA’S OUTBREAK

DESPERATE ATTACK ON COLONEL .MANSELL'S FORCE. DISASTER NARROWLY AVERTED. South African papers to hand show that (he action of the Imperial Government in interfering with the execution of the murderers of Inspector Hunt raised a strong indignation throughout the country. This was followed in a few days by Bambnata's "inbreak.

"It will be remembered,” says a special correspondent writing on the 23rd .\ pril, "that during the recent troubles a notorious chief named Bambaata. who is re.-.i dent near Greytown, Occasioned much anxiety by reason of his insolenee and in subordination. He several times insulted and defied the magistrate, and the Go-

vernment was frequently warned of Hi ■ consequences of allowing hint to remain at liberty. A few months ago be was

imprisoned and lined for contempt -d court, and this rendered him more sullen and defiant than before. During the recent troubles Ids altitude was responsible for the scare of Oreytown, which resulted in the town going into laager for a whole night. Subsequent to that event, a force of police were sent out to bring him in. but on arrival at the kraal it was loon.l that Bambaata bad lied. It was reported that he had gone to join Dimz.idu, but

tin's report has never been confirmed. Soon after Ills (light, the Govetjraicnt deposed him. appointing a recent- in his stead. According to the information this morning, the regent was last night murdered at Ins kraal, and an attempt was also made to murder the heir to his chieftainship, who will not come of age before next year, it is said, however, that the attempt failed. Several of the regent’s wTves escaped from the kraal, and brought the news into the authorities at Grevtown, left for the scene. It appears from later advices that a doubt exists as to whether the regent has been killed or not, hut he has certainly been caytnred. According to it statement made by one o*' his wives, who escaped and came into Grevtown. Mamhaata. with several men, appeared at the kraal about midnight, seized the regent, and attempted to strangle him, lint failed. They asked him "Where is your little While Ghiof now; We swear by Cetawavo, and do not enow vonr Xatal king.” After this they look liim away, stating they intended to dash his brains out on the highest rock on the highest hill. ’ , , . , Two davs later occurred the sharp light between Colonel Mansells force and Cainhaala’s men. f'olonel Mansells report it as follows;-"! thought it necessary to proceed to Keale’s Drift, to bring back tin- Kuropetms, male and lemale, that were detained at (hat place, and who were ttnahle to get away, owing to the roa-1 being occupied by the enemy, lor lilts reason I look the greater part ot the Natal Police that were with me, viz, live officers, and IMG nmijpissmned "Mi-| ~,.r s and men. This force started at about 2. 45 p.m., and reached Kettle's Drift at about d.3U p.m., without having been molested in any way. though the ro.ul coos ihioiigh dense hush, and even precaution was taken. There was d. lay m getting the three ladies ami Kuiopc.it, hov awav, and it must have been lolly 6 15 p.m. before we started, and we weic considerably delayed on the road. Kvery possible precaution was taken to tMund against surprise, hut the nature of the countrv prevented flankers from being thrown out. There was a moon. Ibe advance guard was a short distance ahead, when, suddenly, a dense body ot Kilns rushed out ot the hush between the advance guard and the mam body. 1 lie advance guard was under the vuiumand of Inspector Dimmick, and the K.ilni*> went straight for the rear of the adva me guard. The guard iinmcdiatelv lurncJ and fought their way back to the mam l )0 ,lv, of which I was riding at the head. I immediatclv dismounted the men, and opened lire, thus assisting the advance 1 Ii„ back The Kaffirs were checked on the road by this lire, hut worked round the bush, and got on bo h feEfeSSSvSjS 1 when we resumed our advance, they following ns for some distance, In mg , and shouting obscene epithets. “After this we were not followed for fcSmgvtJav*.?, Llieso lames ■ their carnage Sport dead and woumb ed, and walked fully mght ntdes on fooGl wounded, and otte Wi lfr r^U f hrin" IS to n vour favorable notice &?*&&&& circumstances is deserving A 0f C ra h account of the fight was given to the Natal Witness from a private fetter Mv rroop was y in the advance guard and men killed, four rounded- The y y (t (i he^ng^ers)'we?o on mv horse knocked over the next batch of f“ur Then all of us who wore left alive barged through them. Assegais were ii nnlv flying round us, and how we got through is a miracle. I had gone about rallied, and nine of us fought our y back to the main body. The wholaforce, numbering about 120, then fought, ou I way toot, oy foot to the camp, which i

only four miles away, but it took five hours to get there. To my dying day 1 shall never forget it. Our officers, sor-' geants and men behaved splendidly. It was nearly a disaster, but the sergeants handled the men splendidly, and weoulled through.”