TRANSVAAL WAR.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 9779, 12 January 1901, Page 2

TRANSVAAL WAR.

By Eleotkio .Tei.egraph-Copybiqht.

Per Pbess Association.

Roceived January 11, at 8.55 a.m. London, January 9.

A patrol of Westralians while breaking a wire fence near Richmond came under close fire, but skilfully evaded a capture. A patrol of Brabant's Horse was ambushod at Richmond, and Ave were captured, stripped, and released. Another patrol of Brabant's Horse avenged the incident, defeating a Boer patrol, killing the leader, and capturing a number of horses.

London, January 10, The Boers on tho'night of the seventh simultaneously attacked many posts in the Belfast, Wondersfontein, Nooitgedacht, Wildfontein, and Pan districts. A dense fog enabled them to creep close to the British parties, but, after heavy fighting, thoy were repulsed, 2i being killed. One British officer and 20 men were killed, while three officers and 69 men were wounded.

Commandant Beyers', commando attacked a convoy near Krugersdorp on the eighth, but were repulsed with 11 killed. The British casualties were trilling, . De Wet recently visited his farm, where he disinterred two cart loads of ammunition,

■ Entrenchments are being constructed across the Cape flats from False Pay to Table Bay. Received January 11, at 9.51 a,in, Sydney, January 11. The Governments of all the States are inundated with volunteers, for tiie South African contingents.

Adelaide, January 11. The War Office has accepted the tender, through the Government, of 300 tons of oaten hay for South Africa. They wanted 3000 tons, but the conditions of shipment were so stringent tliat it is doubtful if further trade will be done..Recoived January 12, at 12.5 a.m, _ _' . London, January 11. . Recruiting and other defensive movements' in .Cape Colony and' Natal are astonishingly rapid and complete. Received January 12, at 12,10 a,m, Sydney, January 11. . The War Office has accepted the offer of four hundred: thousaudpouad ting of

Received January 12, at 12.19 a.m. .. ; ; London, January 10.

• Tho Boors who surrendered and were placed in. refuge camps, are, cheerfully assisting tlio 'British to recapture stock and punish tlie marauders., Received January 12, at 12.19-a.m, . London, January 11.

Tlie Boers invading the wosterndistricts of: Cape Colony divided into'two columns, and ;are advancing on Clanwilliam and Worcester. The British havo occupied all the intervening strategical points. All the British soldiers stationed at Cairo, ■ capable of .acting as mounted troops, have been warned to hold theinselves in readiuessfor despatch to South Africa.. - . * v "

During the general attack on tlie Delagoa Bay line' the Boers, penetrated the British linos at Belfast, and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting. The Gordon Highlanders and the Royal Irish Anally expelled them. . Received January 12, at 12,37 a.m. London, January 11. | Lord Kitchener's proclamation is gradually proving effective.

; There are indications that it has been determined to denude the districts unablei to protect themselves, an I evacuate all the towns outside the British linos of communication, and abolish convoys. The Naawpoort losses were due to Boers concealed in the grass, allowing the Hussars to scout up the hill,'only firing when tho Imperial Light Horso asconded in doss formation, The Light I Horse alighted, and responded to the Boer flea briskly, but as they were suffering considerably from tlio enemy's fire they were recalled and reformed, and carried the position by assault, The Boer tactics at Lindley, where Lang fell, were similar. Received January 12, at 12,58 a.m. London, January 11. Botha and Viijoen, whenever pressed, retire north to recruit. , Goneral Lytfcelton is at Belfast, but unable to follow the enemy in force.

BY TELEGRAPH, iVEtLiNGioN, January 11, Sir A. Milner cables that Lieut. Alex, Ross, o£ Christchuroh, is dangerously ill at Pretoria with enteric.

.JThere are 420 men in the eamp at Newtown, including 18 returned troopers. The Contingent has been divided into four companies—Nos. 1 and 2 Wellington and Nelson, No, 3 Otago, No. 4 Canterbury, No. 5 Auckland, i'elegraphed instructions have been received to include in its strength seven members of the Federal Contingent, and 13 'of the men now returning in the Orient, Twenty of the Canterbury detachment were rejected on test, and have left the camp, One mau rejected for want of horsemanship was a returned trooper, and another such is in danger of being set aside. Neither, were in any previous New Zealand Contingent, both haying enlisted in Capo corps, Christohukoh, January 11.

The 25 men who are going from Chrisfcohurch to join the Canterbury Rough liiders in South Africa are now in camp in the drillshed grouuds, and will not leave for Wellington until Tuesday evening,