THE AGENT-GENERAL'S MESSAGES WELLINGTON, February 28.

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

THE AGENT-GENERAL'S MESSAGES WELLINGTON, February 28.

The Agent-general cables : — " Forty-six officers, 4000 men, and six guns surrendered at Koodoosrand with Cronje." The Agent-general cables from London under date- February 28: — "General Buller wires that General Barton, with two battalions, assaulted and carried Pieters Hill, and that General Sir Charles Warren as--sailed and captured the enemy's main position, taking 60 prisoners. The Boers scattered."

March 1. The Agent-general sends the following cable to the Government: —

"The- size" of the force' under Cronje which has just been captured confirms my previous, advice "to you on the subject, and goes to prove that the strength of thf enemy's forces^ has been over-estimated. "It is authentically stated that th& enemy have still 35,000 men in the field, with perhaps 4000 in reserve at Pretoria ! and Johannesburg.

" The next stand by the Boers is expected to be made at Bloemfontein.

" The Boers' total looses are set doAvn at from 9000 to 10,000, including from 4000 to 5000 prisoners of Avar.

" The British losses number about 15,000, including 3500 men who are prisoners of yfav, and 750 deaths diie to sickness." March 2. The Agent-general cables, under date liondon, March 1 : — -

General Buller telegraphs : — " Lord Dunflonald, with the Natal carbineers and comI>osite regiment, entered Ladysmith last night. The country between me and Ladysmith is reported clear of the enemy. Am moA'ing on to Nelthorpe." The Boers seem to be withdrawing from

Cape Colony. Roberts's total loss in relieving Kimberley and the capture of Cronje is about 1300. The enemy's loss in killed and Avounded is small, but 3600 of their fighting men, and a large number of non-combatants were i taken.