INVASION OF CAPE COLONY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11551, 15 January 1901, Page 5

INVASION OF CAPE COLONY.

SERIOUS FIGHTING. THE RAIDERS DEFEATED. By Telegraph.— Association.— Copyright. London, January 14. Fourteen hundred Boers at daybreak, on the 12th, attacked Zaurfontein and Kalfontein. "They were repulsed, and driven in an easterly direction, the cavalry pursuing them. A field-cornet was captured, and several killed. The British casualties were six. Kalfontein was shelled for six hours. The garrison of 140 maintained an exceptionally gallant defence. The Irish Rifles surprised a laager at Kopjeallen, near the Venter shun; Road, capturing 300 horses and a number of cattle. The Dordrecht and Wodehouse Volunteers expelled the Boers from a strong position near Barkley East. The Boers retired to Cramberg, the Lancers pursuing them. Myberg, the commander, escaped by seizing a native's valuable horse. Raiders have appeared at Danislaagte, 28 miles north of Majesfontein. Disloyalists are creating confusion by the circulation of false information respecting the movements of the raiders. t A majority of the Dutch farmers in the Wellington district support the Kroonstad appeal for peace. The farmers also denounce the idea of an Afrikander mission to the House of Commons, and maintain that the despatch of such a mission is calculated to prolong the war. Detachments of British troops, sent to garrison Murraysbutg, were sullenly received by the local Boers. A number of rebels in the neighbourhood have joined the invaders." The British have strongly garrisoned the towns of Graaff Reinit and Bethsaida. Local farmers are bringing horses in for sale to the British. An official declaration has been published in the disaffected districts, to the effect that no neutrals can now be recognised, and that raiders are rebels. Those passively assisting the invaders will be sternly punished. The declaration has j created a great impression. ■