MAIL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11603, 11 December 1899, Page 5

MAIL NEWS.

COMPLAINT BY COLONEL SCHIEL.

THE BOERS MNES,

ADELAIDE^ December 9,

In a letter, 'dated from Simon's : Bay, where he is a prisoner aboard the. warship Penelope, Colonel Schiel complains to General Buller that, although he gave his parole to General White,, lie' .has not been treated according to military..^.etiquette. Though wounded, he ■■ was locked in' a cell at Pietermartizburg; arid strictly guarded, as he was also at' Simon's; Bay. :

General Buller, replying/regrets the inconvenience to which ;Schiel has been, put, but he also regrets that he cannot, admit there has been any breach, of etiquette. General White's authority was limited to Ladysmith, and the officer commanding in Natal is empowered to make any arrangement he pleases . for the safety of his prisoners. The Emallness of the force does not allow of any elaborate measures for the safe keeping ,of prisoners, who have for the present been subjected to a closer restraint than will be necessary after the arrival of reinforcements.

The Standard and Diggers' News reports the discovery of a case containing interesting documents, down the shaft of one of the East Rand mines. Many of the papers relate to the. reform conspiracy at the time of the raid.

The same paper contradicts; the rumour as to the smashing of the I mines, and says that the Government, instead of ruining the mines, are working them and utilising the gold for the purpose of. defending the independence of the country.