TRANSVAAL WAR.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 778, 18 August 1900, Page 2

TRANSVAAL WAR.

..London, Aug. 15. Of 600 horses captured in the Fouriesburg district, tho British are using 2000, which ara in the pink of condition. General Methuen overtook Gonoral Do Vfet's rearguard across the railway, in the direction of Ventersburg, on Saturday, captured a gun, and effectually shelled the main convoy. General De Wet during the night exploded three waggons, abandoned somo ammunition, and 30 exhausted horsos. Ex-Presideut Steyn is under surveillance in the Boer camp. August IG. Sixty British prisoners escaped and joined General Kitchener oight miles east of Ventersdorp. General Hamilton marched south-west to Blftftwbank, hoping to intercept Do Wet. General Mahon is pushing west. A field cornet and 182 Standerton burghers surrendered lo General Clery. General Carrington, with GOO N.S.W. Bushmen and six guns, advanced on Sunday, the sth inst., to within two miles of Colonel Hoare's camp, on the Eland's river, but found it impossible to di.-l idge the Boors, who held a strongly entrenched position. Colonel Cirrington's force was too small to attempt flanking movements. Tho Boers triod to envclopo General Carringlon's force on both flanks, and only by the colonials displaying great steadiness and the effective artillery fire was a serious situation prevented. General Carrington retired to Groot Marico, having discovered that the Boers barred the way to Zeorust. The Boors captured a small convoy at Klemfontein, but tlio colonials repulsed a determined attack, and regained Zeerust on Tuesday, tho 7th inst. The casualties were 12 wounded nnd 17 missing. Most of the latter, however, rejoined tho force later. The Bushmen showed great coolness in thsir first tight, scouting und skirmishing admirably. A largo party of invalided colonial troops from the Shorncliffe depftt visited Canterbury Cathedral, where the •' Dead March " from " Saul " was played in momory of lost comrades, the men standing at the salute while it was played. One of President Kruger's sons was captured at Rustenburg. Oflicial Transvaal papers found in Pretoria show that the Transvaalers alone from January to the beginning of Juno had lost 7000 men, of whom 1000 were killed. Commandant Grobelar is marching on Mafeking. General Powell destroyed the fortifications before evacuating liustenbmg, which the Boers have ro-occupiod. The ' Daily News ' Pretoria correspondent says that Colonel Hoare's column, which included some Australian Bushmen, is safe, with a convoy of 1000 men, though some casualties bad occurred. Colonel Uosire's column was resisting on Friday, 10ih inst., though the Boers' shelling was terrific. * General Hamilton has been instructed to assist Colonel Hoare, whose garrison is still resisting. The casualties number G7. Two squadrons of Victorian mounted infantry, under Colonel Baker, relieved a British patrol surrounded near Mafeking by a strong body of B lers. The Victorians had two casualties. Aftor traversing tho worst stretch of road, General Carrington has been ordered to return forthwith to Zeerust. Mr Bennet Burleigh, the ' Daily Telegraph' correspondent, visited Belfast, where he met General Botha and Commandant Viljoen. He reports that 8000 Boers are strongly posted in ths hills at Bothamley, north of Belfast, and that though they have plenty of guns they are demoralised and indulging in wholesale looting. General Buller is twenty miles south of WonderfoDtein. His advance was practically unopposed. . Eight hundred Boers, with six guns, are at Lake Chrissie. • The recent surrender of Standerton has crushed opposition in the south-eastern Transvaal. Buller is in touch with General French's scouts. Commandant Olivier is noar Heilbron. Keuter's correspondent states that Do Wet is beyond Ventersdorp and trying to join De la Bey at Bustenburg. General Kitchener is pressing De Wet hard. Kruger is sounding the American Government as to whether the American Consul at Delagoa Bay will accord him sanctuary. The ' Evening News' says tho treatment of colonial contingents in South Africa needs the closest investigation. The nation will implacably resent any shadow of injustice or unnecessary hardship to these splendid troops. Lord Roberts reports that Boers murdored Colonel C. W. Helyar, of the Imperial Yeomanry. Two men, arrested on suspicion, will be tried by court martial. PIIETOBIA, Aug. 15. Two of tho ringleaders in the recently discovered plot against Lord Roberts wore the uniform of British officers. Capetown, Aug. 15. The Legislative Assembly, by a vote of 46 to 38, rejected Mr Saver's motion for a select committee to inquire into the administration of martial law in the colony. The ■result of tho division assures tho passage of tho Treason Bill brought down by the Government. The Chartered Company's farms in Rhodesia are 3000 acres each. Colonials will receive £2-5 per annum as a retainer for their military services,