SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 36

SOUTH AFRICA.

Capetown, April 21

Nous lias been received that Dr N. M. McFarlane, one of the medical officers of Basutoland, who was in command of tho detachment which recently relieved Lieutenant Brand’s column on tho Tub road, has had, with a force of GO men, another encounter with tho natives.

This force met and fought 1500 of tho Matabolo throo miles from Buluwayo. Tho fight lasted for two hours, when Dr McFarlane retired in perfect order, owing to a Maxim gun becoming jammed and thus rendered unfit for use.

Tho Englishmen lost only two men, while the natives had 50 killed. Capetown, April 22. Buluwayo is provisioned for two months, which is sufficient to last until the fort is relieved.

Operations are now confined to clearing a zone of three miles around the laager.

It is estimated that one thousand of the Matabelo and three hundred whites havo been killed in tho recent engagements. Capetown, April 24.

Tho column from Mafoking to Buluwayo is marching at the rate of 25 miles a day, and is expected to reach Macloulsio on the 13th May. Tho telegraph wires havo boon cut 2<) miles south of Buluwayo. A sortie from Buluwayo drove tho Matabele across tho Umgtizu Bivor. Mr Selous, the famous hunter, had Ids horse killed under him, and several whites were wounded.

Corporal Wise was wounded in the sortie, but escaped. Trooper Baxter, while in the act of lending him his horse, was assogaied.

Bindorpest is spreading in tho northern Transvaal and in Bechuanalaml. lvhama has lost all his cattle.

The people of G welo, who are threatened by tho rebels, have obtained several loads of grain

Capetown, April 2d

Further particulars of the sortie from Bulawayo show that Lieutenant Napier’s column, consisting of 3v)o, attacked the rebels.

Tim country over which the li-,Bit took place extended for four miles along the Uwguzu Laver. The party led by Mr Selous was outllanked, and escaped by the skin of their teeth.

Lieutenant Grey’s scouts fell into an ambush, and were rescued with diiiiculty. Lieutenant Hook was severely wounded, and Lieutenant Crow received slight wounds.

The latter gave his horse to the former, and in doing so was nearly assogaied.

The natives lost heavily. Throe spies found in 13uluwayo have been hanged.

The Ma feting column will reach Man give next week. News has been received that 263 women and 350 children are still in liulinvayo. Many have left for Matching. Capetown, April 26.

Tho rebels were within half a mile of Buluwayo on Saturday, but tho sortie redrove them into the bush with heavy loss. Capetown, April 27.

News has been received that the residents of Buluwayo watched Saturday’s engagement between Lieutenant Napier’s column and tho Matabelo. The rebels attacked in a crescent form similar to the Zulus, but wero driven into the bush.

Massed on a ridge the Hotchkiss and Maxim guns caused great havoc, and skirmishers completed the defeat of tlio natives after a desperate struggle. The attack was intended as a crushing blow on Buluwayo.

Tho rebels lost 500, and the British two, London, April 20.

Two hundred people were present at tho Colonial Institute’s annual dinner. Tho guests included the Duke of Cambridge, the Marquis of Lome, the Earl of Kintoro (ex-Governor of South Australia), tho Earl of Jersey (formerly Governor of New South Wales), Lord Loch (ex-Governor of Victoria and Cape Colony), Sir Henry Norman (ex-Governor of Queensland), Sir William Robinson (ex-Governor of West Australia), and the Agents-Goncral. Lord Selborne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Colonial Ollice, responding to the toast of “Tho Colonies,” said Buluwayo, Mafeking and Capetown had received every soldier that had been asked for, and more would be sent if required. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for tho Colonies, had enjoined great caution on the colonial lenders till Major-General Carrington, the new commandant, arrived. Melbourne, April 23.

A number of militia ollicers are urging the Government to send a small Victorian contingent for service in South Africa. The proposal is to send a light battery of artillery and 100 picked men, tho Government to pay the cost of transport. Melbourne, April 21.

Tho proposal to send a contingent to South Africa lias been received coldly by the authorities. Tho Colonial Treasurer states that no money is available, and, further, that England does not require help.