AFFAIRS IN RHODESIA

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 51

AFFAIRS IN RHODESIA

COLONEL PLUMER’S COLUMN ENGAGED. THE GOST OF FOOD. DANGER OF A NATIVE RISING. .A-letter" has been received at Newport, Monmouthshire, from Mr J.. W. a native of jhat jown.., it is Noyenibejct 4; and the writer says that Mr Alexander Bullen, man.ager'Jo’F'thq Wanderer Goldmining Company, is forming a troop to fight theßoers. <H.e adds::-—The Boers have heen attacking the armoured train nightly; but with heavy loss. The native runners tell us that they have Seen hundreds of Boers carried away in carts to their _ homes the other side of the border. Only yesterday the Boers attacked and shelled Colonel Rlumer’s column at Tuli, there being losses on both sides. The Boers are trying toi come to Bulawayo, but it would be impossible for them to enter that town, as they would have to march through the Matoppo Hills, and that would mean that they would be cut U P to a man. The Boers are doing great damage to the railways towards Bulawayo, and have stopped all provisions from entering Matabeleland. Provisions have risen in price about 300 per cent. Since .the Boers, blew up the railway we pay at the rate of £2O a month to live, and if this, war lasts much longer the cost will be higher; £5 for a small sack of flour, 3s a pound for sugar, 6s a pound for butter, 5s a pound for tea and so forth; and these things we will not.he able to get later on for loye or money, and have to eat rice and Kaffir -meal) ' - - Mining material is running out, and so these, .mines will havertO close -down, but tbe company.i willdxy to keep them going to .keep, .tlie.-v-natives- ia 4 ch£ok. They, however,: &rq .gbttfng ve^yidheeky, and ate taking’ tf great interest in ithe wa U.i s.°, ! thqt;..3yej’afrp: iexptepfiiiglthem to break put, .at. At ifhe same,. tune, .we. arp i prepafed7'for^thfem. Nearly all

with guns, and in case the Kaffirs break out Air Alex Bullen will command troops to fight them. Here iii SeluliWe y\-e nave, however, no fear abput them' so