SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2251, 22 April 1897, Page 15

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Capetown, April 13. A German steamer has landed at Dslagoa Bay a battery of heavy guns intended for Pretoria. April 14. Sir J. Sievwright says that even if the Cape should lose the Transvaal trade the railways will still be able to pay 6 per cent. April 16. The Assembly adopted a resolution thanking and eulogising Lord Rosmead for his services. April 17. In the Assembly. Mr Dutoit, President of the Afrikander Bund, moved a resolution with reference to the Transvaal, impressing the necessity for moderation, mutual toleration, and the faithful observances of treaties. Mr Rose Innee, Uuder-seoretary for Native Affair?, submitted an amendment desiring redress for the Uitlanders' grievances, a moderate Imperial policy, and J strict obaervanca of the convention. Ths | debate was adjourned to await the return of Messrs Rhodes and Schreiner from London. Nine warships belonging to the British Cape squadron have left for Durban. Thei; objective point is not known. April 19. The presence of the British squadron at; Durban is causing intense interest; In South Africa. Pretoria, April 15. An explosion of dynamite at Langlaagte, on the Rand, killed eight Oornishmen and 26 natives. The Transvaal High Court of Justice decided that President. Kruger acted illegally in suppressing the Johannesburg Star, tho ! publication of which was recently stepped on the ground that it was dangerous to law and order. The court awarded the owners costs. The Star has renewed publication. April 18. The trial of Lieutenant Eloff is proceeding. Witnefsea testified that Eloff when drank u«ed a foal epithet with reference to Qasen Victoria. April 19. The Rand mining groups intend to present & united petition to the Transvaal Government asking for a settlement of the grievances regarding the dynamite monopoly, the liquor laws, and greatly reduced freights and customs. London, April 17. Sir A. Milner, the new Governor of Capo Colony, sails for Capetown a fortnight earlier than was expected, Beblin, April 15. The Frankfurter Zeitung warns the Transvaal not to provoke BritaiD, and says it would be wiser to abandon arming and fulfil the desires of the Uitlanderp. 1 Sydney, April 14. The Minister for Lands has received a letter from a resident of Capetown statitg that owing to the drought, rinderpest, native troubles, and other evils, many Englishmen who went to South Africa with small capital with the intention of entering farming pursuits are afraid to risk their | money, and the writer asks for information with regard to settlement in Australia. The Minister is supplying information. He believes from the tenor of the letter there ib a strong ! probability that many will be induced to come to Australia.