THE RISING IN NATAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13516, 13 February 1906, Page 5

THE RISING IN NATAL.

THREATENING ATTITUDE OF THE NATIVES. ■ Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPETOWN, February 12. (Received Feb. 12, at 10.58 p.m.) The nmrdprers of the police in the. Richmond district are Christianised Kaffirs, belonging to the Moelis tribe. They iinvn abandoned their kraals, and have (led into the bush near the -source of the Umkomas River, and it will be difficult to bring them to justice. A hndy of 350 Caibineeis awl a battery of field artillery have gone -'n the scene of the disturbances. The attitude of the natives is threatening. Small bodies of troops are distributed in the country, and .these may possibly check the movement, but it i 6 considered that more drastic measures are advisable. The trouble is connecied almost equally with the ordinary hut tax and the new poll tax. The only Imperial troops in Natal are 200 belonging to the garrison regiment and stationed at MaritKliurg. and il is thought that Imperial troops ought to strengthen the garrison towns and villages, The crops are not ripe, which fact may possibly act- as a deterrent to an extended rising at present amongst the natives. The, Zulu and other territory is not affected by unrest, but owing to the outbreak- originating as above it is feared that the Ethiopian movement is already a power for mischief. The Cameron Highlanders at Pretoria are proceeding to Maritzburg. Official information is hopeful that the outbreak may prove purely local.