THE BOER WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11935, 8 January 1901, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

THE CHASE AFTER DE WET THE NEED FOR MORE TROOPS. DAMAGE TO A MIKE. MR KRUGEE AND ARBITRATION Press AsEociation-By Telegraph-Copyright. < CHASING DE WET. LONDON, January 6. (Received Jan. 7, at 9 a.m.) The British force who are pursuing De ' Wet have divided into three columns, who | are marching via Hammonia, Commando Nek, and Wolmarans's Hoelc. FICKSBURG LOOTED. The Boers have looted the town of Ficksburg. The residents fled to Basutolantl. Upon the approach of the enemy on the western frontier the disloyalists in Bechnanaland again rose and joined the Boer commandos. CAPTURE OF PRISONERS AND. CATTLE. I Twenty-eight "Doer prisoners, some cat- | tie, and a number of waggons were captured j by the British at Hammonia. ' SENDING REINFORCEMENTS. Five hundred mounted infantry have sailed from Malta for active service in South Africa. A CAPETOWN GUARD. A Capetown City Guard is being formed, thus releasing 4000 regular troops for active service. NATAL VOLUNTEERS MAY BE REQUIRED. The Natal Volunteers have been warned that their services may possibly be again required in the field. AN AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT. SYDNEY, January 7. (Received January 7, at 9.28 p.m.) A conference of Premiers considered the request of the Imperial authorities to send further troops to South Africa. Subsequently Sir W. J. Lyne despatched the following cablegram to Mr Chamberlain : — " A meeting of Premiers of mil States in the Commonwealth much pleased at the expressed high commendation of Australian soldiers, unanimously agreed to comply with the desire of the Imperial Government for further drafts! So far as can be judged, to make up the balance of Australian contingents we require aljout 2300 ■ men and 2500 horses. Can be ready about < the end of this month. Shall be glad to know how long the troops engage for, if pay commences from enlistment. Abso- I lutely necessary Imperial Government send ! transports to convey to South Africa, Very 1 desirable equipment other than horses be! found on arrival there. New South Wales soldiers now there- , must have option of returning." PRESENTATION , TO LIEUTENANT HUGHES. PROMOTED TO BE A CAPTAIN. . SYDNEY, January 7. (Received Jnn. 7, at 0.40 a.m.) Mr Seddon to-night presented, on behalf of the contingent from South Africa, a photographic snield to Lieutenant Hushes as a mark of the men's appreciation of him as an officer. The Premier said he would not make many more presentations to Hughes as 'lieutenant, as his commission as captnin of the militia would shortly be issued. He thought a mistake had been made in South Africa in Sending single men home till the Boers were absolutely quelled. New Zealand would send another 2000 men if necessary. He eulosised the men for their devotion to duty. They had done credit to the colony.

NEW SOUTH WALES MEDICAL ■ CORPS. MELBOURNE, January 7. The •• New South Wales Medical Corps have returned from the Cape. They were present at over 65 fights, and lost only six men. THE WESTERN POLICE. INDUCEMENTS TO ENLIST. LONDON, January 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 1.27 a.m!) The police force recently formed in the western district, Cape Colony, and the mounted rifles from Capetown, are concentrating at Piquetburg road, 50 miles northeast of Capetown, whence they will establish a line northwards. Town guards are being organised in many places. Married men from Britain wishing to settle in South Africa are being offered special inducements to enlist in the constabulary. POSITIONS OF BRITISH GENERALS. LORD KITCHENER'S PROCLAMATION. LONDON, January 7. (Received Jan. 8, at 0.33 a.m.) General Bruce in the Bothavil'.e district, drove the Boers to the Yaal. He captured eight waggons and 153 women and children and 1000 cattle. Clements has occupied Buffelspoort. General Brabant is organising a flying column to operate under Lieutenant-colonel Gorringer between the eastern railways. Surrenderors have distributed Lord Kitchener's proclamation amongst the enemy's rank and file at Bethel, ■ MARTIAL LAW. LONDON. January 7. (Received January 8, at 0.33 a.m.) Four hundred troops have arrived at Malmesbury, Cape Colony, where martial law was immediately proc'aimed. DAMAGE TO MINES. LONDON. January 7. (Received January 8, at 1.34 a m.) The enemy damaged the Kleinfontein mineno the extent of a quarter of a; million. Two years will be required to'restart the v mine. Kitchener's troops are insufficient to protect the wide area of the Rand. ASSISTING THE OUTLANDERS. LONDON. January 7. (Received January 8, at 1.34 a.m.) Sir A. Milner is asking the Government for £100,000 to relieve the Outlemders, one half to supplement 4hc Mansion House fund, the other to be loaded on the Transvaal i security. THE HAGUE CONFERENCE. LONDON, January, 7, (Received January 8, -at 0.33 a.m.) Maartens declares that Mr lunger's claim for arbitration is outside the scope of (he Hague Conference. A CABLE FROM LORD KITCHENER, (Per United Fbkss Association.) WELLINGTON, January 7. Mr Ward has cabled to Lord Kitchener announcing the probable time of the departure of the sixth contingent. Lord Kitchener replied, under date Pretoria, sth: "Very grateful for your telegram. You already know the very hisrh opinion I have of the New JJcalandefs, They have shown themselves on every occasion throughout tho war first-rate soldiers of the Empire, and have been the greatest credit to the colony. I cannot speak too highly of them. ! —(S.) Kitcjiexkb," i