(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 34

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, February 28. There was great rejoicing in the city to-day on receipt of the news of the success of the British arms at Koodoosrand. Owing to the late appearance of the morning paper, the news did not become generally known till about 8 o'clock. Just before that hour flags began to Vppear on private houses and flagstaffs, while on the flagstaff of the General Post .Office a signal which read " Success ' was promptly hoisted. Shortly afterwards flags were hoisted on the other Government buildings, and nearly all the principal business places became gay with bunting. ' Lord Roberts's health was drunk in many cases with enthusiasm. In the Government "buildings the men could be heard cheering as they assembled for work. Later on it was announced that the civil servants had been granted a half-holiday. All the children at the public and private" schools participated in the holiday, the boys in several cases giving cheers for Lord "Roberts.' The youthful patriots whistled ""Soldiers" of the Queen" as they wended their way fromewarde. One boy had impro : vised a flag in honour of the occasion. It was composed of white paper with bands of red

ink drawn across it. " What is the ink for, Billy? " inquired a chum. '* Oh, that's the blood of the Boers," repeated the warlike youngster. The employees in the Petone Railway Workshops asked for a holiday, which was at first refused, as it has been necessary to work overtime recently. However, it was decided later on to close the workshops. The men thereupon took round the hat for sub•oriptions towards the cost of sending a congratulatory cablegram to Lord Roberts. The sum of £5 15s was collected. This afternoon the Petone Brass Band paraded the main thoroughfares of the district. Details of the British success are awaited with feverish anxiety, and everyone is pleased that the New Zealanders apparently had a hand in the operations. There was much excitement in camp at Newtown when the news of Cronje's surrender was received. At the morning parade Lieutenant-colonel Collins referred to the success of the British arms. He said the world could not but applaud the great gallantry of the Empire's soldiers, who by their pluck and determination had brought Cronje to his knees. He felt that there was a feeling of disappointment amongst the men in camp in the colony, fearing that they would be too late ; but it must not be assumed that Britain was out of the wood yet. She had still a long and arduous task before her, and it might be the privilege of the Wellington Rough Riders to help her to finish that task, by planting the Union Jack in Pretoria. Colonel Collins then called for three cheers for Lord Roberts and his army, which were heartily given, and at the same time the New Zealand Ensign was run up the flagstaff, where it has been flying all day.