GENERAL ITEMS.

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

GENERAL ITEMS.

CAPETOWN, February 26,

Mr Saver, Minister of Public Works, has stopped the pay of all the railway employees who volunteered for the front.

While the transport Maori King, with the Queensland Contingent aboard, was off the coas>u of Madagascar the lamptrimmer was arrested for attempting to set fire to the vessel.

The Tasmanian Contingent have left Capetown for the front. February 28. Mr Robert Harris, a son of Admiral Harris, Commander-in-chief of the Cape station, and Flag-lieutenant Kennard hoe been fined JBI each for clucking Timbrell, editor of the Simonslown Chronicle, in tho cea, for -wpritjjig disparaging articles on Great Britain and her Bolicy.

March 1. The Congress of the Afrikander Bond, which was fixed for the Bth inst., has been postponed. This step was occasioned by anxiety owing to a persistent report that it would foment a rising unless assured that no annexation of the Boer Republics was contemplated. March 2. Private T. Smythe, of the New South Wales Medical Corps, died at Orange River from enteric fever. • March 4. It transpires chat on the eve of the issue of the war ultimatum by the Transvaal Government the Volksraad secured pensions for President Kruger and all the other officials, expecting that Great Britain would afterwards recognise them.

Three British officers escaped from Pretoria during the confusion incident upon the stoppage of the electric light.

Sir William M'Cormac, the eminent surgeon, has sailed for England. LONDON, February 25. Colonel Paterson, a Queenslander, was the first person to enter Kimberley. February 26. President Kruger has reopened Robinson's Bank, restoring its cash security which had been previously " appropriated."

February 27. The eighth division, consisting of 10,500 men, sail for the Cape next week. The death of Trooper Coulson, of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, from enteric fever, is reported. February 28. '

The Queen visited Netley Hospital, and told the wounded of Cronje's surrender, and presented each man with a bouquet of flowers from the gardens at Windsor Castle. Her Majesty also sympathised with the hardship the men had undergone. She was especially cordial to some colonials in the hospital.

London is radiant with intense excitement, and ccowds at the War Office, Mansion House, and Stock Exchange frantically ' cheered for the Queen and '' Bobs. '" The army clubs and private houses were decorated with flags. " There was similar enthusiasm in the provinces, and also a great outburst of patriotism in Canada. France and . Russia are exasperated, though acknowledging the importance of the victory., Germany and Austria are disappointed. Italy and America are sympathetic. King 'Humbert sent a message of congratulation to the Queen. The Queen and Princess Louise (wife of the Marquis of Lome, a former Governorgeneral of Canada) have sent spirited messages of congratulation to Canada. The Emperor of Germany has sent a

message of congratulation to the Queen.

The New South Wales correspondents urge the shipment of remounts ior the troops. March 1. The relief of Ladysmith caused great excitement throughout Britain. Bells were rung, and the London streets were crowded. Cheers were given on the many Stock Exchanges. There Avere universal rejoicings and un.bounded enthusiasm at the relief of Ladysmith. London was decorated with bunting. Crowds, waving tiny union Jacks, paraded the streets all the evening, cheering the Queen and the generals and singing patriotic songs.

The Lord Mayor announced the news to an immense throng at the. Mansion House.

There were delirious demonstrations at the Exchange, Lloyd's, and Court Garden.

India, Canada, West Indies, Malta, and Gibraltar showed wild delight, also South Africa. The crowd at Capetown compelled the hoisting of flags at Parliament House, which is the nrst occasion on which this has been done during the war.

On receipt of the -news of the relief of Ladysmith the Bank of England's staff sang the National Anthem in the governor's parlour.

There was an extraordinary demonstration of enthusiasm in the provinces, and largely in Ireland. General Buller's telegrams were read and cheered.

Parliament, the Queen, and the Prince of Wales sent congratulatory telegrams to Generals Buller and White. March 1. Thirty-eight thousand reinforcements arrive at the Cape in March and 18,000 in April.

The .newspapers in Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and St. Petersburg demand intervention to preserve the independence of the Republics, but the Governments are not responsive.

It is declared at Brussels that Joubert is concentrating 50,000 men at Winburg, where the country is similar to that round Ladysmith.

Many Dutch' fanners are participating in the rejoicings throughout the Cape.

Mr Cecil Rhodes entertained Lord Roberts at Kimberley.

The 'Army Estimates provide for 430,000 men ' and an expenditure of £61,499,400. March 3. General Cronje has arrived at Simonstown. He occupies the Admiral's quarters on board the Doris.

Mr Balfour has created some surprise by announcing the Budget for next Monday.

This is interpreted as an intention to bd& denly increase certain customs, and excise duties, and also ' increase the income tax, while borrowing to meet the bulk of the war charges.

The Times foreshadow^ that the Transvaal and the Orange Free State Republics will be converted into crown colonies, allowing them to federate on Canadian or Australian linos, and develop from within.

With the view of strengthening i.he hands of the Government members of the House of Commons are largely signing a memorial that there shall be no lasting settlement over the war unless the residents of the Republic are disarmed and incorporated. March 5. Newspapers insist upon making the cost of the war a first charge upon the revenues of the Republics after annexation.

Dr Leyds declares that President Kruger wants peace, but will never sacrifice the independence of the Republics. He is ready to submit to arbitration.

The Australian Bushmen's fund exceeds £13,000.

In consequence of the rumours in regard to a probable increase in the customs and excise duties, there have been very large clearances of wines, spirits, tobacco, and tea.

The Westralian and South Australian mounted troops which recently arrived at Capetown have left for the front.

The Imperial Government have accepted the offer of the Canadian Government to garrison Halifax with local troops in order to release the second battalion of the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment for active service. ■ " PARIS, March 1. Henri Rocheforb has received many subscriptions ■to present General Cronje with a sword of honour. MELBOURNE, March 1. Mr M'Lean has wired to Mr Lyne, suggesting that he should make a definite offer

of more' trciops. This is presumably the outcome of Mr Chamberlain's despatch.

March 2. There was great enthusiasm over the re--' lief of Ladysmith. The public buildings were decorated with flags. There was frantic joy on the Stock Exchange. High 'Change sittings. Tvere suspended, and the city scoured for all the street musicians, •who were gathered into the hall. • The public were invited in, and 1 patriotic songs sung. Gold, cheques, and jewellery were thrown in a heap on the floor as subscriptions to the patriotic fund. Members of the Exchange afterwards paraded the streets singing and cheering. i March 4. The Argus has. received the following telegram from Rudyard Kipling, dated .Capetown, Friday: — "Approaching dearth of horses. Insist increased Australian supplies. " SYDNEY, February 27. Admiral Pearson has received a cable an- j nouncing the death of his eldest son, Lieutenant Pearson, of typhoid at Ladysmith. J February 28. A magnificent send-off was accorded to j the Bushmen's contingent. .Three hundred thousand persons thronged the streets'. There was much cheei'ing for Roberts, Kitchener, and Buller. March 1. A despatch of great importance has been received by various Governments from Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies. The greatest secrecy is preserved.

Speculation is rife, and varies from asuggestion that the Imperial authorities wish to intern Cronje and the Boer prisoners in Australia to trouble with Russia. Mr M'Lean, the Victorian Premier, went

■'■■ "Si ■ - "■— -* so far _Bfc to say that the .publication migKr create al»rm, - It is believes*, that the colonies will ba asked for more troops for Couth Africa, so that in the event cf tcuble wUh other Powers the Imporial fofvs will be a\silable for service elsewhere. March 2. The Daily Telegraph disputes Mr Reeves's estimate of the Boer forces. Trustworthy correspondents had by personal observation and from information gf'ied at first hrid placed the numbar much higher than New Zealand's Agent-general, iind their estimate was likely to be more accurate than calculations, Avorked out by Mr Reeved in London.

The city was decorated with flags in honour of the relief of Ladysmith. At a given signal the telegraph operators in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobarfc, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth left their instruments and sang the National Anthem, and cheered the Queen and Generals Robert! and Buller.

The Mararoa met the Elingamite in ocean, and obtained Sydney papers an* nouncing Lord Roberts's victory. " Th< ship's company cheered the intelligence. March 5. Mi' Chamberlain has cabled to Mr Lynl expressing his congratulations upon the colonies' readiness to supply more troops. The Imperial remount officer has purchased altogether 4300 horses in the colony for South Africa. About 2000 have already been forwarded. ADELAIDE, March 5. The colony contributes 200 men to th new force for South Africa. BRISBANE, March 2. TEe third contingent for South Africi departed amidst manifestations of the j greatest enthusiasm. ALBANY, February 28.' - A passenger by the Medic, who remained in Johannesburg .under the French fla< 4 ' till recently, states' that the guns have beei taken from the fort overlooking the tovrt and sent to Sanderton and other places The women and children have been removed in anticipation of a British attack. March 3.

The Knight Templar, with the lhir» contingent from New Zealand on board, has arrived. Her troops are in good condition, and only one horse was lost. - , HOBART^ March 5. There has been great enthusiasm here over the relief of Ladysmith, combined with the arrival of the transport contain. ing the New South Wales Bushmen. 'Business has been practically at a standi still since ■ Friday.

The Bushmen's Contingent sailed amids* a scene of great enthusiasm. AUCKLAND, March 3.

Lord Ranfurly has received the follow ing cable from the Queen : — " Thanks tt the people of New Zealand for their loyal and sympathetic congratulations on th. relief of Ladysmith."