MASHONALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9430, 3 June 1891, Page 6

MASHONALAND.

THE GEEAT BOEE TEEK. The Johannesburg Star, referring to the last filibustering project of the Boers, says:— The great Africander trek to the country beyond the Limpopo is now assuming a definite shape. Agents have been appointed throughout the South African Republic, the Proo State, and Cape Colony and Natal—all influential Africanders disconnected with any Government. In the Gape Colony already the names of a thousand families have been enrolled. The trek has been organising secretly for the last four years. It will assemble on the hanks of the Limpopo between May 15 and June 1. The river will be crossed by the trek on June 2, with a coqvoy of 5000 armed men, and on June 3, the Eepuhlic of the North will he proclaimed according to the Grondwet of 1858, of the South African Republic. The trek will include several doctors and ministers, and also a printing-press. The official language of tho New Eepuhlic will be Afrikaans. Ihe trek is undertaken on a treaty granted ten years ago to the Zoutpansberg farmers by the chiefs Schabasha alias Shebe, and Macubi. The trek will claim the country between the Portuguese and the Matabele frontiers, including in their claim the country in which the Zimbabye ruins are situated, from the Limpopo to the Zambesi. A Capetown telegram, dated April 22, says Sir Henry Loch, the Governor and High Commissioner, has sent the following telegraphic despatch to President Kruger: —“ Reports have reached Her Majesty’s Government that a trek into Mashonaland, with a view to the establishment of a Eepuhlic in that territory, is proposed. Her Majesty’s Government informs your Honor that it will regard this as an act of hostility to the Queen. The Transvaal Eepuhlic is held to the engagement contained in Article 10 of tho Swaziland Convention. Her Majesty’s Government expects an immediate assurance of the loyal co-operation of tho Transvaal.” President Kruger hba repliedl have ‘ damped ’ the trek and haye sent for the suspected leaders. A proclamation has been ■ drafted. The Government is fully alive to its obligations.” [The cable news has told us of the ultimate failure of the Boer project.]