THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lake County Press, Issue 982, 3 October 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

A train was accidentally derailed at Standerton and six Dragoon Guards were killed and 36 injured. The following honors dated 2Dth November, 1900 have been conferred on New Zealanders r—Distinguished Conduct Medal : G. Helmes, Bearer Royal Red Cross ambulance, and Sister Williamson. Many Australians have received similar honors and Major Fames, N.S.W. Medical Corps, has been made a Companion of the Bath. Those permanently banished from South Africa are Botha, late Landrost at Pretoria; Field Cornets Botha, Hugo, Meuwhindt, and Duplessis ; Captains Olliver, Ooetzse, Coos and Kruger and Adjutant Yandelliude. Details of the Vlakfontein affair show that the British intended to capture 50 roving Boers. The guns opened fire at 200 yards but the Boors surrounded the British, encircling them with a brisk riile tire. The breech blocks of one gun, with the belongings cf both were destroyed, and the breech block of the second gun was buried before the British surrendered. Kekowich, north west of Rustunherg, captured 35 Boers, 60 horses, 30 rifles and five waggons full of clothing. General Kitchener reports that Lieut. Miners, of the Somerset Light Infantry, but attached to the Oonstabulurly at Riversdaal, went on the 25th to meet three Boers who were approaching under a white flag but who, after a short conversation, were seen to shoot Lieut. Miners dead and gallop away. 'JTie enemy in force, under Botha, attacked the fort at I talia Prospect on the Zuluiaud border on the 2Gth, tingarrison gallantly repelling them and indicting heavy loss. Reuter’s m-s.->age stales that th" garrison lust one killed and nine wounded. Out of 107,125 white refugees in camps in August, 1373 dm.!, including 510 children, out of 22.U3G cliiiuieu in Orange River Colony.

General Bruce Hamilton reports Mi ii 1500 Ii n*rs, comiiiiliTd by i. Uls L .I ha an I < ir .b i mi , attacked the t urn at I taii i 1 op a". N iiieiecn of tlm m.e ny were killed, including two commandants, am! many win e, wounded. The liners ret in d i.ert li-t-asi. Lord .Milner lias directed the di - pusti! <f the property of burghers still in the field to maintain their iambi vs. liters attacked the lltsufos on the 24th, ami after severe lighting three 15oers were killed The L!asutos r» - tired. General Kitchener, replying to Shalkburghi r’s letter i xpressing a desire for peace, explained that Greal. Britain cannot, abandon the annexation of the ex-republics without breaking faith with the loyalists, lie added, regarding the Cape rebels, that there were traitors and the prerogative of clemency must be exercised with unfettered discretion. The Government) farms near all the principal Transvaal garrisons arc being managed by two Australian and Cambridgeshire farmers and supply sufficient green fodder and vegetables for the local forces. Scheepers’ commando has crossed Olifants Kiver in a north-easterly direction.