THE BOER WAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11869, 22 January 1902, Page 5

THE BOER WAS.

ENEMY DISHEARTENED. [IE COGNISE THEIR INDEPENDENCE IS GONE. ' " BOTHA AND DE WET. THE LAST STAND. By Telegraph.— Association— Copyright. (Received January 21, 4.30 p.m.) London, January 20. According to the 180 prisoners brought to Standerton the Boers recognise that their independence is gone. They persist in fighting because their leaders insist. Botha is 20 miles east of the Erraelo blockhouses. He is in touch with several groups, but there is no cohesion elsewhere. De Wet is 17 miles south-east of Reitz. In view of final resistance Boer women are cultivating the fields near Zoutspanberg. BOER LAAGER CAPTURED. (Received January 22, 12.32 a.m.) London, January 21. Colonel Kekewich surprised Klasheim's laager at Paardeberg, capturing 11. TOWN GUARD PATROL SURPRISED. (Received January 22, 12.32 a.m.) London, January 21. Wessels surprised a patrol of 50 Cradock Town Guard, and most of them are missing. THE BOERS IN EUROPE. THEIR FALSELY OPTIMISTIC REPORTS. (Received January 21, 4.30 p.m.) London, January 20. Commandant Wolmarans, recently taken prisoner, expresses contempt for the Boers in Europe living at the expense of those in South ; Africa and sending optimistic reports, knowing that they are false. KRUGER INTERVIEWED. INSISTS ON INDEPENDENCE. London, January 20. Kruger, in a recent interview, said the Boers would never accept sub jligation first and then autonomy. They will insist on independence. THE MEAT SUPPLY. (Received' January 22, 12.50 a.m.) London, January 21. It is understood that the contrac for the supply of meat for the armj in South Africa has been given to { syndicate, including Messrs. Birt Potter, Hughes, M. Bergl, Houlder the Cross Company, co-operating wit] Mr. Cecil Rhodes, Mr. Alfred Birt anc the De Beers Consolidated Mine: Company, who undertake distribu tion, establishing a new compan; and erecting cold stores. It is re ported that the price of frozen mea ■will be s|d a pound, including dis tribution. It is reported that th contracts will include a proportioi of Argentine meat, the War Offic agreeing to . accept this on th grounds that Australia is unable ti supply the whole, despite th Agents-General's representation t the contrary. TROOPS FROM INDIA. London, January 20. Six thousand seasoned troops ar starting from India <to exchang places with young soldiers in Sout! Africa. AMERICAN INTERVENTION. ASKED FOR. Washington, January 20. Mr. Webster Davis, a pro-Boe advocate', presented a petition t Congress bearing 200,000 signature from the South-western States, as!* ing for American - intervention i South Africa. OX TRANSPORT. London, January 20. Lord Kitchener reports that th inoculation of cattle against rindei pest, enabling ox transport to cor tinue, surprised- the oldest inhab: tants. THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT THE TROOPSHIP. No definite information has yet been r ceived in Auckland as to the date of tl arrival hero from Wellington of the troo] ship which is to convey the North Islar Regiment to South Africa. HALF-CASTES. According to a telegram published in ye terday's issue from our Wellington cocre pondent, the Maoris who obtained places : the Eighth Contingent have been inform) that they cannot be allowed to go to Sout Africa. As there seems to be an impressic abroad here that the exclusion of half-cas Maoris is also contemplated, it may be mei tioned that such is not considered to be tl the Imperial authorities not having « any time during the selection of New Z& land contingents taken exception to the ii elusion of half-castes. Already several hal and quarter-caste . Maoris have been sent 1 South Africa with our contingents, ar more than one of them have claimed the di tinction of mention ip despatches, and ha\ otherwise commended themselves as in evei way suitable and desirable troopers and goc fighters. Among those who come readil to mind as despatched from the Auekla® district, are : Sergeant-Major Callaway, < Coromandel, and Sergeant-Major Pitt, lal of the Permanent Force, the former of who: is to receive the medal for distinguishes se vice at the front, after serving with tfl contingents. . . . THE WORKERS AND THE WAR. The Wellington Typographical Union hi unanimously-passed a resolution disavowir sympathy with pro-Boer sentiment, and con plimenting the Trades and Labour Counc on its action in rescinding the anti-War res< lution carried by a minority.