NORTHERN FRONTIER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 23

NORTHERN FRONTIER.

CAPETOWN, March 1'

The Victorians, under Colonel Price, occupied Mooifoniein, aftsr a &mart fight with. 800 Boers near Drooifon^ein. Subsequently the Boers evacuated Knilfontein, losing considerably

The British have occupied Rendflburg.

A Renter's despatch states that Captain Cameron, oil- the Taswanian contingent, wag Avounded and taken misoner to

Rendsburg. The Boers highly praised his gallant resistance. No other Tasmanians are missing. March 4. Z-ieneral Gatacve made a- reconnaissance in force on Friday, the 2nd. from Sterkstroom towards Stormberg, and shelled Boer position.

March 5. Iwo hundred Victorians and Tasmanians under Captain Jenkins, of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, with iwo guns, reconnoitring from Colesberg in the direction of Waggon Bridge, Orange River, saw 50 Boers busy on the opposite bank. They dropped a shell amongst them, causing a precipitate retreat towards a distant laager. Another shell fired bur&t among the retreating Boers.

Major Maxwell, of the Royal Engineers, with a mixed force of 1100 men, in attacking the Boers' rear north of Dordrecht at dawn yesterday, seized a lofty mountain in the face of a heavy fire. Two of the Boer guns continued firing all the afternoon. Several Cape riflemen, endeavouring to reach the breastworks, were repulsed, losing four killed.

General Brabant marched at night to Labuschagne's Nek, and occupied a strong position, including a fort, customarily vacated at night. At dawn yesterday the enemy were returning leisurely, when General Brabant's forces fired, bewildering them. Later on the enemy's determined attempt to retake the position was repulsed. General Brabant occupied the other point. The British had 6 killed and 15 wounded. LONDON, February 26. Major De Montmorency, of Montmorency's Scouts, and Colonel Hoskier were killed while reconnoitring in the neighbourhood of Stormbecg. [Major P. H. Hoskier was one of those selected to command the volunteer force raised by the Lord Mayor of London, and would" enjoy the local rank of colonel. He was appcinted major of the 3rd Middlesex Volunteer Artillery on, October 7, 1836.] [Major Meivyn De Montmorency was born on January 1, 1863, became lieutenant of 'the Hampshire Regiment on September 10, 1884, and captain of the same regiment on July 1, 1890 ; was appointed adjutant of volunteers on September 14, 1894. War services: Burmese expedition, 1885 to 1889 ; medal with two clasps. He went out to South Africa and raised a troop of irregular horse in Cape Colony.]February 27.

1 ' Early on Sunday Major-general Clements, in % command of the Inniskillings and artillery, and a strong force of Australians under Colonel Price, of Victoria, dislodged the Boers from Vaal Kop, compelling them to retire to Knilfontein. The British have reoccupied Barkly Ea.«t. The Landrost of Lady Grey wired to" President Steyn that 'he would surrender if reinforcements 'were not sent. February 28. Majoi-general Brabant occupied Jamestown, capturing al! the horses of the Boers., who took flight on foot. Great efforts are being nsade Co cut off their retreat to the Free State.

March 1. General Clements has occupied Colesberg,

He met with an enthusiastic reception from the loyalist residents.

The Boers are now in full retreat to the north. The leading rebels have been arrested." A quantity of ammunition was found in the town.

The Boers at Jamestown lost 50 killed, 123 wounded, and 300 of them are missing. Many of the rebels have gone back to their homes, loudly proclaiming their loyalty to the Empire. March 2.1 Lord Kitchener has arrived at Aimndel. The Boers are retreating to Norvals Pont. The British troops at Arundel are preparing for a rapid advance to the north. 'March 5. Colonel Price, of Victoria, has moved his" camp, which comprises a ' strong force of the Australian Mounted Rifles and the Berkshire Regiment, sever miles north of Colesberg.