SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 36

SOUTH AFRICA.

Capetown, April 15,

Tho virulence of the rinderpest is paralysing tho transport work, and only mules can ho employed. Tho troops from Natal are expected to take two months to reach Bulawayo, and the Alafeking column one month. A rising is feared in the Northern Transvaal.

Capetown, April 15.

The rebels are using Alatabele domestic servants in Bulawayo as spies. One was discovered and shot.

Three forts are now garrisoned, and a body of 100 men hold the Alangwe Pass.

Czonga, Lobengula’s nephew, was killed in one of tho recent fights. At a meeting held at Buluwayo.it was officially staled that 1000 men wore on the march from Alafeking, and were bringing provisions sufficient to last 3000 persons for four months.

London, April 15

Sir Hercules Robinson telegraphs that tho whole of tho country around Buluwayo is in the hands of tho rebels, - and that a large force will be required to dislodge them.

There are only 250 men in Buluwayo, he adds, able to co-operate with the Alafeking column.

Capetown, April 17 Australian residents in the Rand liavo offered Earl Grey one thousand men for service in Alatabeleland.

The Boers prevented Captain Fowler from commanding an expedition to Buluwayo against the rebels on the ground that his evidence was required at the trial of the members of the Reform Party at Pretoria.

Eighteen chiefs have asked for British protection in the present trouble. Fifteen thousand of the Alatabele are massing near Buluwayo. Help lias been asked from the Transvaal. Capetown, April 18. There is a large impi within six miles of Buluwayo, and looting parties are within half an hour’s march of the place. Lobengula’s crack regiment, too, is near. Fearing native treachery inside, the residents are searching for arms.

The food supply is critical, but eighteen provision waggons are within sixty miles of Bulawayo. Thu local suggestion to apply to the Transvaal for help has not been adopted. The rebel natives slaughter those remaining loyal to the British. The Bechuanalaud chiefs aro helping the British transports. Four hundred mounted infantry have been sent from Natal.

Capetown, April 19

'Pile Buluwayo patrol was attacked, and after two hours’ lighting fifty of the enemy were tilled. The anxiety lor those inside the laager is incieasing. The Chartered Company state they have 60:i to defend them. London, April 17.

Air Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that the first battalion oi the Aliddle.sex Regiment and a body of cavalry will reinforce the Natal troops in tho operations in Alatabeleland, also that it was intended to permanently increase the garrison at Capetown, as at present it was inadequate to defend the coaling station. There were, he said, ample men and arms to repress the rebellion, and the only difficulty was the transport of provisions and horses. Capetown, April 20. News has been received that the Alatabele threaten Buluwayo on three sides, and are trying to effect a junction with the tribes at Alatoppo Hills. Olimo is inciting the attack by foretolling the capture of the town. Dynamite mines encircle tho town, and tho scouts are dropping dynamite in tho rebel lines.

Several of the provision wagons have arrived safely.

A force of 260 troopers with 10 officers is pushing on from Alafeking. A similar number of men is nearly equipped for the journey, including a lino body from tho Rand. The Capo Government denies the reports that risings aro threatened among tho natives in Bechuanaland, Basutuland and Pondolaiul.

London, April 19

Major Carington has been sent to tho Cape. It is reported that he lias been appointed Commander in Alatabeleland.