THE WESTERN FRONTIER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2403, 22 March 1900, Page 22

THE WESTERN FRONTIER.

LONDON, March 13. Mafeking was reported safe on the 6th inst.

The relieving column under Lieutenantcclonel Plumer has reached Lobatsi, 35 miles north of Mafeking.

The Boers at Lobatsi are retreating to Zierust.

Typhoid and diphtheria are raging at Mafeking. The sufferings of the women and children are terrible.

The garrison at Mafeking is eating bread made from forage. The water supply is fcul.

March 14

Colonel Baden-Powell has again warned Commandant Snyman that unless he ceases using native soldiery around Mafeking he will direct the Bechuanas to raid the border districts.

The Capetown -Kimberley railway is now open and in working order 30 miles to the north of Kimberley.

March 15.

The engineers at Mafeking have constructed a dynamite gun having a range of 1800 yards.

Sergeant-Major Looney, of the commissariat department, has been publicly degraded and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for stealing lotions at Mafeking.

March 16.

Mafeking was safe on the 9lh inst., and the defenders had seized an advanced trench of the enemy.

Lady Sarah Wilson has presented the troops at Mafeking with flags, all of which were worked by the ladies of the town.

The Boers are massing at Warrenton, 50 miles to the north of Kimberley.

March 18

Lieutenant-colonel Plumer is approaching Mafeking. The railway line is now repcrted clear.

The rebels at Vosberberg threaten Victoria West. The Boers have quitted Windsarton, the prize fighter Holloway (their adjutant) blowing up the bridge.

March 19.

Colonel Plumer was at Pitsani on the 13 th, and reconnoitred Ramathlabama. Desperate sapping and counter-sapping is proceeding at Mafeking, the Boers being driven to their main lines of investment. Colonel Powell was hopeful on the 12th.

Lord Methuen was at Warrenton on the 16th inst. He prevented the Boers destroying the deviation bridge and secured a punt over the Vaal River.