THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 7

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

A PENITENT BOND. DESIRES PEACE. DOfHA’s movements. DE WET IN CAPE COLONYUnited Press Association—-By Eleotri® y Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 14. Mr T. P. Theron, the President of the Afrikander Bond., is proceeding to Capo Town, to consult Mr Piet Dc Wet, who desires that ike Bon'd should send a d'eputatidri to iritimatfe to Okristian Dc Wet and Sfeyri that the Afrikanders will afford h 6 material help to the raiders, and to persuade the commandos to re-crOss the Orange River and surrender. He is confident that Botha will then yield, as he is aware that Botha formerly earnestly advocated surrender. Botha is apparently seeking refuge in the Pongola Bush, in. South Swaziland, and the extreme south-eastern portion of the Transvaal. He has tens of thousands of cattle, aM his convoy extends for miles. A commando crossed Orange River on Feb. 13 into the Philippstown district. It is understood that De Wet commands it.

the Boers in Swaziland. A COMMUNICATION FROM THE QUEEN. TfiE CAPTURE OP TWO BRITISH TRAINS. BADEN-POWELL’S POLICE FORCE. LONDON, Feb. 14. The Queen dt Swaziland has informed Cord Kitchener that she desires to prevent the. Boers entering her territory. - The Boers captured two trains near Belfast and robbed the passengers. They then started the trains So that they came into collision and the engines Were smashed. Thirty thousand applications for enlistment in General Baden-PowelTs constabulary hare been received in London and two thousand six hundred have been accepted. FRENCH’S OPERATIONS. (Received Feb. 16, 12.1 a.m.) LONDON* Feb. 15: * General French driving a large force of Boers in the direction of Rietretief, prevented them breaking back, and the Inniskillings charged them, killing five and wounding six. The British captured a large number of waggons and cattle. RETURNING INVALIDS. HOBART, Feb. 15. Amongst a number of-invalided soldiers, which arrived by the Rimutaka, is G. M. H. Black, a New Zealander. , TROOPS FOR THE , FRONT. (Received Feb. 16, §.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 15. . The Fifth Contingent hag sailed' in- the troopship Orient. • They marched through the principal streets, and there were large crowds and much enthusiasm. Two hundred and fifty volunteers for the Marquis of Tullibardine's Scottish Horse, and 24 Dragoon Guards, who go to join their regiment in South Africa, also left by the Orient. THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS. WELCOME ON A LARGE SCALE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON,, Feb. 15. At the conclusion of the war it is intended to call together the returned members of the New Zealand Contingents at the centres of their different districts, where welcomes on a- large scale will take place.