THE TRANSVAAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7691, 7 December 1899, Page 1

THE TRANSVAAL.

By Electric Telegraph Copyright. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received December 6, at 9 a.m. Capetown, December 5. Notwithstanding his wound Lord Methuen continues duty. Durban, December 5. The Boers have evacuated Weenen. The piers of the Tugela River bridge at Colenso remain intact. The British prisoners at Pretoria are allowed to purchase Boer newspapers The British victories have had a reassuring effect on che Basutos.

deceived December 6, at 9.45 a.m.

Capetown, December 5,

The Boers used dum-dum bullets on the Modder River, and fired from under the shelter at the Bed Cross flag. Two hundred galloped off the battlefield in the afternoon. The Naval Brigade exploded Bhells amongsb the fugitives. Harrowing scenes were witnessed the morning after the battle. Many Boers were buried on the spot. A shell riddled the buildings filled with unattended wounded Boers. Their groans were terrible. Three dead Highlanders were found in a trench, one grasping the enemy's rifle in his stiffened hands. The Free Staters' artillery became panic stricken and bolted amidst the Transvaalers' denunciations of cowardice. The prisoners report that Oronje whipped the Boers to prevent their fleeing.

Received December 7, at 0.30 a.m. Capetown, December 6. The British troops in the-battle of Modder River were almost maddened with thirst, their water carts being unable to approach the zone of fire. Cronje considered the defences capable of withstanding an attack for three weeks. Labuschaque, a prominent - Afrikanker member of the Uatal Legislative Council, was arrested on a charsje of treason for joining the Boers at Estcourt. A number of Boer women visited the Boer lines at Ladysmith, and implored General Joubert to end the war. London, December 6. The Queen welcomed the nurseß proceeding to South Africa at Windsor Caatle and re-

marked, " How sweet of you to care for my men." Received December 6, at 1.10 a.m. Capetown, December 6. Lord Methuen is satisfied that the enemy's morale is much shaken by the defeat at Modder River, and his loßses exceed the British. The Lancers have located the Boers on a strong ridge six miles from tho Modder River. General Gatacre at Butterakaaul, Colesburg district, has checked the spread of disaffection. Durban, December 6. A trestle bridge has been completed over the lugela at Frere. Sari Delawort, who is acting as the London Globe's correspondent was nearly shot while assisting the wounded at Modder River. The steamer Kent arrived at Capetown on Friday. London, December 6. The Timea states that the Boors loat 150 killed and hundreds wounded. Mr Septimus Stephen read a piper at the Colonial Institute on New South Wales. Earl Jersey presided. Mr Solomon, AgentGeneral, read the Queen's telegram thanking tbe colonists for Bliaring the responsibilities of the Empire. A'l the speeches were strongly Imperialistic and laudatory of the colonies' military patriotism.