THE KING'S CORONATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11975, 26 May 1902, Page 5

THE KING'S CORONATION.

ENTERTAINING- COLONIAL TROOPS. A ROUND OF FESTIVITIES. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— London, May 23. An extremely powerful committee, representing the noblest and wealthiest members of society, has organised a scheme, embracing all amusements in the metropolis, for the colonial and Indian troops—theatres, music halls, clubs and races. » Provincial corporations are eagerly proffering assistance, but the committee find it impossible to accept all offers. SUBSIDIES TO LOCAL BODIES. ; [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. The Government has decided to give a subsidy of pound for pound up to £500, at the four centres, and up to £200 at other places, towards the cost of the Coronation celebration. Wellington, Sunday. Sir Joseph Ward states that expenditure by local bodies on memorials of the Coronation, such for instance, as fountains, -will be considered as commemorative expenditure, and will be assisted by the Government subsidy of £500 to , cities and £200 to boroughs. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Thames, Saturday. The Mayor to-day received a telegram from the Acting-Premier, dealing with the intentions of the Government re granting subsidies for local bodies' expenditures on Coronation Day celebrations. The message was to the effect that the Government will grant a £ for £ subsidy to boroughs up to an expenditure of £200, but the money so expended must be from the borough's own funds, as no outside subscriptions are to be regarded as part of the amount expended. SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS. [by telegraph.—press association.] Nelson, Saturday. The City Council meeting last night decided to vote £200 towards defraying the cost of the Coronation festivities. It is understood that it will be covered by a rate of Id in the £. • M.vrton, Saturday. At a public meeting last night, it was agreed to erect a four-light lamp, to cost £50, at the junction of Broadway and High Streets, to commemorate the Coronation, and to have a demonstration on similar lines to that held in honour of the lute Queen's Jubilee. A novel cookery demonstration can easily be given, and the expense of eggs in winter he avoided by using custard powder, Tucker's. Four packets in each cu box; four flavours. The -first concert of the llemuera Musical Society's present season takes place this evening at St. Mark's Hall, llemuera.

London, May 23. T.he chief points of the peace negotiations have been satisfactorily settled at Pretoria. "The Cabinet sat for two hours considering questions in detail. The final vote on the entire scheme will be taken at the Vereeniging conference in a few days. THE CABINET COUNCIL. ITS DECISION CABLED TO PRETORIA. WHAT THE BOERS ASK FOR. (Received May 25, 5 p.m.) London, May 24. The Cabinet's decision has been cabled to Lord Milner and communicated to the delegates. Mr. Chamberlain had an audience of the King after the Cabinet meeting. Ministers have returned to the country. The Standard states that the Boers have abandoned independence and restricted themselves to raising the questions of amnesty of the rebels, expenses of rebuilding and restocking farms, the adjustment of debts, and the status of burghers prior to the initiation of representative government. ;■ An agreement has been drafted by a military convention for the surrender of the Boers or their dispersion on becoming Britishers, but the question of amnesty rests with the King. , None of the details, the Standard says, offer an insuperable barrier to an early declaration of peace. VEREENIGING CONFERENCE. POWERS OF THE DELEGATES. RECRIMINATORY DISCUSSIONS. CALMER COUNSELS PREVAIL. (Received May 25, 4.47 p.m.) London, May 24. The Transvaalers, in sending representatives to the Yereeniging Conference, left matters entirely to them, but the' Free State representatives did not obtain equally full powers. Those representatives at Vereeniging favouring peace without independence were subjected to bitter taunts. The Standard's Pretoria correspondent. states that up to last Saturday the proceedings at the Vereeniging Conference were rather of the nature of Free State recrimination than a discussion on the lines tentatively agreed on by the Boer leaders and tl\ose laid down by Lord Kitchener in April. Calmer counsels, however, prevailed on Sunday, when the Free Staters suggested points, offering to agree on their part if these were formulated. The leaders then came to Pretoria, where a final agreement will be drafted, and, it is hoped, signed. The decision is a step to general submission. A PRELUDE TO SURRENDER. SPEECH BY THE WAR MINISTER. ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT. NO PATCHED-UP PEACE. (Received May 25, 4.47 p.m.) London, May 24. Mr. Brodrick, Secretary for War, speaking at the Volunteer Service Companies' dinner, said everybody hoped that the communications now passing might be the prelude to the surrender of the Boers. All he could say was that the Government were as determined as ever not to purchase temporary immunity from trouble by sacrificing anything tending to the permanent security of peace. The war had shown the Empire that association, mutual support and confidence had made the dream of colonial federation a reality. The colonial Ministers' Conference would consider how we could put the enthusiasm which had

brought the colonies into the held with us on' a, permanent basis. The war would give freedom to and establish a great empire in South Africa. LORD ROSEBERY'S OPINION. PEACE IS CERTAIN. NECESSITY FOR PATIENCE AND STATESMANSHIP. (Received May 25, 4.47 p.m.) London", May 24. Lord Rosebery, in addressing the National Liberal Club, said he never had a doubt, since the present peace movement, which was practically on the basis of the Boers surrendering their independence, had been initiated, that peace was certain ; but the declaration of peace was only the beginning of the pacification period, which would require patience and statesmanship. THE CHIMES OF PEACE. ** ( ' WHAT IS THOUGHT IN BERLIN. (Received May 25, 4.47 p.m.) London, May 24. Officially inspired paragraphs have appeared in the Berlin newspapers stating that it is beyond doubt that the King's Coronation will be celebrated amidst the chimes of the bells of peace. BRITISH PARAMOUNTCY. MR. SEDDON QUOTED. > (Received May 25, 4.47 p.m.) London, May 24. The Morning Post declares that Mr. Seddon is the last man to wish for peace except on the basis of the absolute paramountry of Great Britain, therefore his cablegram in which he said if the Tenth Contingent did not hurry up they would be too late, is significant and hopeful. PEACE PRACTICALLY ASSURED. London, May 23. There is a widespread belief that peace is practically assured. The Boers, recognising that annexation is irrevocable, are seeking certain assurances on 'minor points. The Standard says Lord Milner would scarcely have consented to submit proposals to the Cabinet which in his judgment would'be wholly inadmissible. BEFORE THE CABINET COUNCIL. London, May 23. Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Secretary for Scotland, in a speech at a meeting in Edinburgh prior to the issue of the summons for a Cabinet meeting, declared he expected to be summoned to London very specially for an important purpose. The St. James' Gazette states that the Cabinet's decision will probably be delayed owing to the controversial character of the Pretoria cablegrams. HOW PEACE WILL BE ANNOUNCED. [BY TELEGRAPH.rRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. Arrangements are being made by the Government in case of receipt of news of peace being declared for the immediate ringing of bells on the Government buildings, firing of guns at forts, and like demonstrations. THE BRITISH TERMS. Mr. Gerald Balfour, speaking last month after the initiation of the present peace movement, said the terms of the offer of March, 1901, regarding the future (status of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, were still open, but beyond that the Government were not prepared to go at present. _ * _ The following are the principal points in the terms then offered: — 1. An amnesty in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony for all bona-fide acts of war committed during hostilities. 2. Rebels belonging to Natal and Cape Colony, should they return to these colonies, will be liable to be dealt with by the laws of the colonies. ..it 3. All prisoners of war to be brought back as quickly as arrangements can be made for their transport. 4. Military administration to cease at the earliest practicable date, and to be replaced by civil administration in the form of Crown colony government, the ultimate intention being to concede self-government. 5. Both the English and Dutch languages to be used and taught in public schools, and allowed in courts of law. 6. A sum not exceeding £1,000,000 to be set aside to renay inhabitants of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony for goods requisitioned from them by the late Republican Governments. 7. Assistance by loan for occupants of farms who will take the oath of allegiance, to repair any injury sustained by destruction of buildings or loss of stock during the war. 8. Licenses for burghers who have taken the oath of allegiance to carry firearms. 9. The legal position of coloured people to be similar to that which they hold in Cape Colony.

WHAT THE BOERS ASK FOR. There is every reason to believe that the Boers, after agreeing to peace carrying with it the loss of their independence and a general surrender, put forward a number of requests, of which the following are the most important: — They ;i4-k Great Britain to provide sufficient funds to rebuild and restock the Boer farms and premises destroyed by tire or other means in the course ot the war. The cost of this would be about £5,000,000— in other words, a sum equal to our working expenses for four weeks of the present war. They ask Great Britain to grant a complete amnesty to all burghers in the field as well as to the Capo rebels who have taken up arms on behalf of the two Republics. They desire the same terms to be extended to both. Yet it is probable they would agree to disfranchisement of the rebels. They strongly urge, though this point may not be pressed, that Great Britain should take over the legal claims and liabilities of both Republics. They ask for the withdrawal of the banishment proclamation. Finally, they ask that a shorter period of time than that contemplated by the British Government shall elapse before the restoration of representative government. military operations. A LAAGER SURPRISED. London, May 23. Colonel Lovat surprised Fouche's laager at Stapleford, killing and | wounding several and capturing 84 i horses and 60 full bandoliers. BOERS RESOLVED TO SURRENDER. London, May 23. Four hundred Middelburg Boers ! have determined to surrender in any event. LENIENT MARTIAL LAW. London, May 23. A Blue Book just issued shows that extraordinary consideration and leniency were displayed in the application of martial law. A full report of Scheepers' trial is also included. CONDEMNATORY OF GENERAL BULLER. London, May 23. The Times says the second volume of its history of the war is strongly condemnatory of General Buller and the general confusion of his military administration. THE RAILWAY ACCIDENT , TO THE EIGHTH. A TROOPER'S LETTER, DESCRIPTION OP THE SCENE. [bv TELEGRAPH. correspondent.] Wellington, Sunday. Concerning the disaster to the Eighth Contingent at iuachavie on April 12, Trooper Glennie, of Sumner, writes to a friend in the South: — " We passed Johannesburg at about ten o'clock on the 11th. We then went on travelling all night, till about half-past seven a.m., when the sad accident occurred in which 14 men were killed and 14 injured. All the men killed were in the first truck. I was on the second one. Our. truck was thrown right off the line, and, the third and fourth ones went on top of the first and killed the men. They were simply crushed to death. "When we came to our senses again we started to get the poor fellows out. There was one thrown up on top of the engine, and he was scalded to death. There were others crushed between the first and third trucks. After wo got them all out we had to lay them out and wrap them in blankets. It was a terrible sight to see the poor fellows, some .of them with their heads off, and others smashed to pieces. I may think myself lucky I was not killed. Everyone thought we were passed out. " After we got the line cleared we had to go back to Potchefstroom. They are burying the poor fellows this afternoon at Klerksdorp. We are all going to the funeral." GEN. HAMILTON'S RECENT DRIVE. TELEGRAM FROM COLONEL DA VIES. TROOPS PRAISED BY LORD KITCHENER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Sunday. The following cablegram has been received by the Government from Colonel Davies, who is in command of the New Zealand Eighth Contingent, which took part in General Hamilton's recent successful " drive": — " The following has been received from General lan Hamilton. Result of recent operations: — ' Killed ... ... ... 1 Prisoners 354 Rifles m ... ... ... 262 Horses 326 Mules ... 95 Donkeys ... 20 Waggons 175 Cape carts ... ... ... 61 Cattle ... ... ... 3,500 Sheep ... ... ... 1,300 Ammunition ... ... 63,640 Trek oxen ... ... ... 106 Amongst the prisoners is Jan De la Rev, elder brother of the General. Since telegraphing this to Pretoria, General "Hamilton lias received the following from Lord Kitchener: — "' Capital result. Tell troops I highly appreciate their exertions, and consider the result very satisfactory.' "We have now, since Lord Methuen's capture, taken 860 of De la Rey's force. As there are a considerable number of new troops under his command, the G.O.C. mobile columns in West Transvaal think column commanders would do well to explain to them that the G.0.C.-in-Chief is not in the habit of bestowing indiscriminate praise, and that, on the contrary, the compliment which has been paid this force is a very rare occurrence." RETURNING TROOPERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. Sir J. Ward has received the following cablegram, through His Excellency the Governor :—" Papanui left Capetown on May 18 with seven men of the New Zealand contingents, and two men of the South African Corps. DEATH OF AN AUCKLANDER. The death is announced in South Africa from enteric fever of Sergeant W. B. Jessup, son of Mr. W. Jessup, of the General Post Office, Auckland. Sergeant Jessup was formerly in the South African Light Horse and the Scottish Horse, and took part in the relief of Ladysmitli. In an engagement near Standerton he was shot through the hand. After many exciting experiences he took enteric and died at Elandsfoiiteiu Hospital on April 4,

A CANTERBURY MEMORIAL. [BY nxEORAi-n.— PRESS ASS(iCIATIOW.} 'S Chris rcHt'BCH, Saturday. : The tablet which is to be placed in the Christchureh Cathedral by the War Fund Committee, in honour of the Canterbury members of , the Rough Rideis who died in South Africa, has been received from. England. It is a very handsome piece of work. It will probably be unveiled at the Coronation services. The inscription is as follows: —" In memory of the officers and men of the Canterbury troops, Third New Zealand Rough Riders, who were killed in action or died whilst on active sen-ice in South Africa, 1900-1901," After this come the names, as follows: Lieutenants H. IT. Bradburne, A. D. Ross, and F. Ryan, Sergeant F. M. Russell, Corporals, C. Parkinson, E. B. Tosswill, R. H. B. Upton, Farrier J. C. Colvin,_ Troopers L. Perham, J. K. Allen, M. Bryce, G. VV. Franks, R. Mclntyre, T. L." Scott, C. E. Wiggins, W. N. Mon'att, R. W. Morris, H. 'R. Rule, J. W. Sansom, C. E. Smith. CAPTAIN MARKHAM. The friends of Captain Markham, of Auckland, will be pleased to hear thai His Excellency the Governor has received a cable saying that he (Captain Markham) is much better, He is leaving Capetown for London to obtain further medical advice.