THE BOER WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2443, 9 January 1901, Page 31

THE BOER WAR.

. ] THE ENEMY CONTINUE ! ACTIVE. A TRAIN WITH TROOPS BLOWN UP. The Wounding of Steyn Confirmed. CAPTURE AND RECAPTURE OF [ HELVETIA. — BOER SECURES £00 PRISONERS.— A BRITISH CONVOY CAPTURED. LOOTING IN CAPE COLONY.— BOER PRISONERS SENT TO ST. HELENA. j THE CAPE INVADERS STILL ACTIVE. LORI| KITCHENER AND : , COLONIALS. SET URN OF LORD ROBERTS.— CREATED AN EARL AND RECEIVES THE GARTER. THE CHASE AFTER DE WET CAPETOWN, December 31. The Bey. Mr Steytler openly preached a seditious sermon in the principal Dutch church in Capetown. Many of his congregation left. LONDON, December 28. Lieutenant-colonel H. M. Greifell, who is following the invading column of 700 Boers under Commandant Kruitzinger, reports that the invaders constantly retired when pressed, and that thej^ ultimately made a detour, but were compelled to abandon their Maxim guns and carts.

The 9th Lancers attempted to outflank the enemy,- -but failed. They sustained «ight, casualties, the wounded including lieutenant Lord Hamilton Temple Blackwood (a son of Earl Dufferin). Commandant Kruitzinger, as a result of the mistake of Colonel Burrows's detachment, captured 16 members of General Brabant's Horse. .

Very few respectable farmers joined the Boers south of Thaibanchu. On the other hand, many of them afforded General Knox valuable information.

The Boers have damaged a quantity of mining machinery.

A force of police at Boksburg gallantly held 200 Boers at bay, repelling their attacks until reinforced from Johannesburg. The enemy then retreated.

A big commando, with 160 wag"gons, in the Vryhurg district, are trekking westward. They crossed the railway at Brussels Siding, South of Vryburg.

Two hundred and seventy other Boers crossed the line at Saltpans.

The deaths of Troopers Quigley (New South Wales) and Butler (Queensland Bushmen), from enteric, are announced.

The Third Dragoon Guards have been or-

tiered to South Africa. The First Dragoon Guards, who are also under orders, will take with them saddles of the colonial pattern. Their equipment will include a rifle and sword, instead of a carbine and lance.

When Major-general Sir H. E. Colville was ordered Home from South Africa in .July last, shortly after the capture of the Irish Yeomanry at Lindley, an inquiry was teld by the War Office. This has resulted in the general's reinstatement, and he will assume command of the infantry at Gibraltar. Sir, Evelyn Wood, ag Acting Commander-in-Chief, now requests General Colville to resign, but the latter declines to do so. He is, however, returning to England.

The Times, commenting on the incident, suggests the seriousness of Mr Brodrick's action in overriding the decision of the MarUuis of Lansdowne when the latter was

political head of the War department unless some fresh evidence has been obtained sufficient to justify such a serious step. December 29. Majors-general Inigo. Jones and Hector Macdonald are dealing with the invaders in' Cape Colony.

The Boers have quitted the Philipstown district, and crossed the line at Houkraal. Colonel Grenfell is harassing them, and drove the chief commando through mountainous country north-west of Stormberg towards the Orange River. The Naauwpoort column is also threatening the retreating enemy.

General Brabant and Lieutenant-colonel Cradock are looking after the general administration of martial law.

General Knox is holding the LadybrandWinburg line. He frustrated De Wet's attempt to break through southwards.

De Wet, with a large commando, is holding the country between Ficksburg, Senekal, and Winburg.

In a sharp engagement at Greylingstad eight British were killed and 27 wounded, while 20 are missing.

The Boers blew up a train containing 16 of the Warwickshires near Pan. The loss is serious.

The news that Steyn had recently been severely wounded is confirmed.

Lord Blackwood was wounded severely in the chest during the Lancers' attempt to outflank Kruitzinger.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Dufferin have sailed for South Africa.

December 30.

A Reuter message states that no inhabitants joined the eastern raiders, and only a few joined the western raiders.

Lord Kitchener reports that the enemy have been headed off from the south.

Boer attacks were repulsed at Benoni and Utrecht.

The British have reoccupied Ficksburg,

General French is at Ventersdorp

Of the missing troops at Nooitgedacht seventeen of the Black Watch were killed.

A New Zealand Rough Rider, Ernest Emmis, died of enteric at Buiawayo.

Renter's Newcastle correspondent says : — It is reported "on trustworthy authority that Botha intimated to the commandants that Mr Kruger advises that they must lay down their arms, or continue fighting on their own account, as no support can be expected. Lieutenant-colonel Spragge, who commanded the battalion of Irish Yeomanry which surrendered at Lintlley, and Lieutenant Woodhouse have resigned their commissions as the outcome of reopening the matter. * Commissions have been granted to the f ol- > lowing New Zealanders : — Corporals D. R. Hewitt (East Lancashire), G. H. Rolleston (Hampshire), Sergeant, C. A. Hawkins (11th Hussars), Sergeant-major T. H. Dawson (Border Regiment). All the above belong to the fourth contingent. The casualties outside Greylingstad occurred to the members of a small detachment who pluckily and successfully repelled an attack of 400 Boers on the baggage behind General Colville's main column. The latter had one killed and 16 wounded. Between '2000 and 3000 Boers unsuccessfully made a concerted and simultaneous attack on our lines of communication along the Eastern Transvaal and Northern Natal. Their casualties amounted to 50. Those of the British were slight. A small force of invaders appeared near Ladygrey. General Settle is assisting Generals Macdonald and Jones' operations against the invaders in Cape Colony. The total m>.mber of Boers captured whilst fighting and who are still 'prisoners is 14,838, besides 382 who are on parole. Trooper R. M. M'lntyre was wounded at Tuli, and Trooper D. Spenser slightly wounded at Rhenoster Kop. December 31. The Government have given £1000 to Mrs Labram, widow of the American engineer who constructed the " Long Cecil " gun which did such good work during the siege of Kimberley, and who was killed just before the relief of the town. The Boefs on Saturday captured Helvetia, a strong position on the Macha-dodorp-Lydenburg railway, held by a detachment of the Liverpool Regiment, whose casualties were 50 besides 200 made prisoners.

The British, under Colonel Reeves, reoccupied Helvetia. . Major-general F. W. Kitchener, with a small force, is pursuing the Boers who captured Helvetia.

A British convoy of 35 waggons was captured on Christmas Day west of Vryburg.

The Boers have occupied Vosburg, and are virtually besieging Zeerust. They threatened Carnarvon unfcil repulsed. Famine prices prevail at Kimberley. It is denied in Brussels that Mr Kruger advised General Botha to submit.

The farmers of the Venterstad district are co-operating with the British against roaming commandos.

The Dutch Cape Churches observed Sunday as a day of humiliation and prayer.

It is understood in Durban that Lord Kitchener cannot officially ask the colonies to send more troops, but wishes it to be known that Canadians and Australians arriving in Natal will be eligible tor immediate enlistment in irregular corps, proceeding to Johannesburg for six months' service.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Dr'T. N. Tewater, who was Minister without portfolio in Mi Schreiner's late Ministry, on a charge of making a seditious speech at a secret" Afrikander meeting held at Graaf Reinet before the war, assuring the

Afrikanders that Steyn and De Wet would shortly invade the colony, and that it was the duty of the Dutch to rise.

General Colville, interviewed in London, said he courted inquiry, declaring that he was unwilling to become a scapegoat because Lord Roberts's staff bungled at Lindley. He cited other instances of the incompetence of Lord Roberts's staff.

The Boers early in the morning surprised Helvetia by rushing our 4.7 gun. Later, the British at Swartz Kopjes shelled the enemy out of Helvetia. The Boers then surrounded the captured gun with their captives, and withdrew with it. No ammunition was captured by them.

General De Lisle defeated the Boers 18 miles to the westward of De Aar. He captured a number of waggons, and released the Cape Police belonging to Philipstown whom the Boers had previously captured.

One hundred and fifty prisoners, chiefly captured during the operations against De Wet south of Thabanchu, have arrived at Capetown.

January 1

Five hundred Boers derailed a train near Standerton, capturing 10 soldiers, five waggons, and their supplies.

Two hundred men belonging to a commando invaded the eastern portion of Cape Colony, and stopped between Rosmead and S'herborne a train containing 60 of Prince Alfred's Volunteer Guard, who were returning from the front, and 40 women and children. The soldiers fought until they had expended all their ammur. - tion. They were then captured. An' officer and three men were wounded. The Boers stripped the men of their arms, and then released them. They also burned the carriages. The looters then went in the direction of Middleburgh.

All traffic on the line has been suspended, and troops sent to the spot.

The Government of Cape Colony, owing to this raid, have issued a special appeal to loyalists asking them to form a defence corps to repel invasion and guard the lines of communication. The term of enrolment is for three months, at the usual colonial pay, and begins on Thursday next, the 3rd inst.

General Knox, after his fight with De Wet's commando, occupied Senekal.

Colonel Halkett, operating near Magersfontein, captured 1000 horses.

The ammunition on a Boer waggon at Senekal exploded, killing four men and wounding a daughter of Commandant Haasbruck.

The correspondent of the Daily News at The Hague states that Kruger is wavering ; that Wessels and Wolmerans, the Boer delegates, favour peace on any tolerable terms ; and that Leyds denies that resistance will continue to the bitter end.

Daily Telegraph war fund has reached £234,438. With the exception of £96,180 all the money has been distributed.

Five thousand colonial troops from South Africa are expected • to visit London in March. Large sums are being subscribed for their entertainment.

January 2.

Numerous small commandos are operating between Orange River and Rosmead without a definite plan or substantial advantage, causing the military much trouble and annoyance.

Two hundred and fifty Boers captured 14 of Nesbitt's Horse 50 miles south-east of Colesberg.

Another commando of 800 captured a quantity of stock at Weltevreden.

Colonel Williams is pursuing the convoy which was captured on Christmas Day at Vryburg, valued at £50,000. The Boer ambush was a complete success. The- escort of 25 Cape Police offered no resistance, and all were captured.

The following colonials were wounded at Wetpoort : — Severely, Lieutenant Miller and Private Morgan ; slightly, Private Younger (New South Wales Bushmen) ; dangerously, Private C. W. Brown ; slightly, Sergeant-major Jolly (New Zealand Rough Riders). ,

General Knox captured some of De Wet's horses and five waggons containing supplies, also 6000 rounds of ammunition.

General French captured a large quantity of carts, horses, and 12 prisoners.

General De Lisle is pursuing the raiders towards Prieska, who captured the convoy at Houvaler's Drift, towards Prieska.

Large reinforcements have reached Middelburg, Somerset West, and Beaufort West. The cavalry are hemming in the commando who have been invading the East Cape Colqpy.

From north to south every farm between Britstown and Carnarvon has been looted.

The members of the Afrikander Bond recognise that the invaders are simply marauders.

Commandant Hertzog, who was looting in the direction of Beaufort West, is in full flight. The cavalry are pursuing his forces.

The Boers have penetrated to the south o^ Middelburg.

Lord Kitchener's recent proclamation does not apply to those surrendering on the battlefield or consequent on pressure from British troops.

General Knox has liberated and sent to their respective farms 76 farmers whom De Wet "had coerced.

The are protecting 973 Oftoshoop refugees at Mafeking, and the Boer ladies are accommodated at the hotels.

General Carrington, in the East Transvaal, is pushing all hostile bands in the direction of Swaziland.

Mr Kruger is confined to his bed with bronchitis.

Lord Roberts has arrived a.t Cowes, in the Isle of Wifeht.

January 3,

The most western raiders in Cape Colony are between Middelburg and Hanover, while a section have reached Glenbarry, near Graaf Reinet, where there is a British garrison. Some fighting has taken place near Middelburg. The railway was damaged south of Leifontein.

De Wet retreated in the direction of Lindley or Reitz, when Colonel Pilcher prevented him reaching Bethlehem. General Knox is c.osely pursuing him. The military authorities have taken over all the supplies' in Kimberley.

Boers have been seen in the vicinity of Ladysmith.

The Rhenoster garrison repulsed an attempt to seize a gun on a neighbouring kopje.

Fourteen hundred Boer prisoners have sailed for St. Helena.

Martial law has been proclaimed in Fraserburg, Prince Albert, Worcester, Ceres, and Sutherland, in Cape Colony.

The horses of the Boer raiders in Cape Colony are footsore and lack fodder. The country in the direction of Fraserburg is barren.

The military authorities are collecting all remounts and grain.

The Boers captured and destroyed mails due at Carnarvon on the 30th.

The Boers from the eastward have reached Maraisburg, and small parties in Griqualand West are working towards Prieska.

The feeling at Capetown is that strong reinforcements are imperative. The absence of an actual rising in Cape Colony is ascribed to the lack of arms. The invaders are everywhere assisted -with information, and horses are in many places freely offered. Lord Methuen is pursuing some Boer convoys past Vryburg. A consignment of bullets and dynamite from Capetown, packed in condensed milk tins, has been seized at Fraserburg. The Loyalist Defence Corps in Cape Colony is enrolling briskly. Lord" Kitchener urges Sir Gordon Sprigg to send well mounted men. He says the enemy are few, but very mobile.. Private Morgan, of the New South Wales Bushmen, has died from his wounds. Private Sloan, of the South Australian Bushmen, died from the effects of a broken thigh. The _, Duke of Connaught and Princess Henry of Battenburg, representing the Queen, welcomed Lord Roberts on his landing at Cowes, and accompanied him to Osborne, where he had a long private audience with the Queen.

Her Majesty has conferred upon him the Order of the Garter and raised him to the rank of an earl, with the right of succession in his daughters.

Lord Roberts, replying to the mayoral address of welcome and congratulation, reiterated his implicit confidence in Lord Kitchener, whose task in South Africa was, he said, surrounded with difficulties owing to the marvellous mobility of the Boers and vastness and barrenness of the country. Nevertheless, the end was certain, if the Boers were only clearly assured of Great Britain's determination not to allow the results of the war to be thrown away.

He was proud to have commanded such a magnificent army of the soldiers of Great Britain and Greater Britain. They had pulled together like brothers. The Empire need fear no outward foe while we were careful not to neglect any weak points in our armour.

Lord Roberts has arrived in London. He had a splendid welcome, 14,000 troops lining the streets from Paddington station to Buckingham Palace.

January 4.

The Standard's correspondent, describing the 15-hours' fight at Rhenosterkop at the end of November, states that the behaviour of the New Zealanders and Australians was one of the finest features of the war. Finer fighters never faced a foe.

The Times states that though the Cape messages indicate nervousne&s there is nothing to justify serious anxiety. The citizens of Capetown are volunteering almost en masse.

The British have evacuated Jagersfontein and Fauresmith, in the Orange River Colony. The Boers have reoccupied these places.

Finding Fraserburg garrisoned, the Boers of the western commando diverged more to the north-west in two columns, with flanking parties. They cleared the country of everything eatable.

Boer commandos have appeared in Bechuanaland.

Lord Kitchener is clearing the> various districts where the Boers are laagered round Jagersfontein, Fauresmith, and Edenburg.

Six thousand five hundred irregulars have been recruited during the past eight weeks. Five thousand of them have already gone to the front (including 2500 Capetowners). The first batch of the latter were enrolled this week, and are starting for Worcester and Ceres to protect the passes of the Hex River and the railway tunnels.

Two thousand Boer prisoners have been transferred from Green Point and Simonstown to transports. - This allows 1000 troops to proceed north.

The warship Monarch has landed her bluejackets and guns at the Cape. These will take the place of the troops who were guarding the Boer prisoners, and who were recently sent to the north.

A spontaneous meeting of the burghers who had surrendered has been held at Pretoria. They formed a committee, and in-

tend to appeal to those still fighting ' o sur> render.

Lord Kitchener -n as present, and made ae.friendly speech. He said that the burghers had fought well, and that there was nohumiliation in surrendering. He emphasised Mr Chamberlain's liberal programme, and said that guerilla warfare was useless and inhuman to all parties, including tha prisoners, who were awaiting repatriation. If the policy of conciliation failed, the Boera would be responsible for compelling tht» British to take other methods.

Lord Roberts, when accepting the fret dom of Southampton, referred to the heavy debt of love and gratitude that was due to> the colonists. He highly praised Lord Kitchener's wise counsel and his ever-ready help.

There was a brilliant scene on Lord Roberts's arrival at Paddington station. The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke and Duchess of Oonnaught, the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Wolseley, Sir Evelyn Wood, Lord Lansdowne, and Mr Brodrick welcomed him.

There was a triumphal progress to Buck*, ingham Palace, and the crowds were most orderly and the decorations splendid.

Fifty guests were present at the Palace at luncheon. The Prince of Wales referred to the very difficult and trying campaign now nearly concluded, and said that he was heartily glad to welcome so gallant a soldier.

Lord Roberts, in replying, said that h*» was proud of the most unexpected and magnificent honours that had been conferred on him by the Queen," and for his splendid welcome by the public. He regretted that more of his comrades were not present, andhe much wished that some representatives of the great colonies could have accompanied him — colonies which gave of their bravest and best to fight for the motherland, and in signal proof of the unity of the Empire under one flag and one* Sovereign.

January 5.

Commandant Viljoen was the author of the recent burning of the mine property afeBoksburg, when £50,000 worth was destroyed.

Lord Kitchener has warned the mineowners not to reply upon regular troops forprotection. This has caused some littla anxiety," but the recently-formed Rand Rifles are expected to suffice for all purposes.

Two hundred invaders of Cape Colony have recrossed the Orange River, retiring" northwards.

Former Boer rebels in Bechuanaland have rejoined commandos, and are advancing on Griquatown, where there is a British garrison.

Lieutenant-colonel Williams, who is pursuing a commando 800 strong in the vicinity of Wettenreden, reports that he> had five wounded, and was unable to dis-* lodge the invaders of the eastern district of Cape Colony from the kopjes westward^ of Middelburg. The Boers subsequenlljr withdrew towards Bethseda.

Two of the naval guns command the ap-. proaehes to Capetown. The others are being sent inland.

The Cape Post Office department is* raising 600 men, the Railway department 500, and the Workmen's Association 100-i Since the special appeal was made 1000> have enrolled.

A quantity of ammunition has beeif seized at Paarl in the hands of sympathiser* with the invaders.

Sir Frederick Carrington, who is at present operating towards the Swaziland border, is expected to proceed^ south. , One thousand men are enrolling at Vancouver for General Baden-Powell's South African police.

It is officially announced that Sir Alfred Milner has . been . appointed Governor o\ the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies,* retaining the High- Commissionership oi South Africa. Srr Hely Hutchinson, Go-, vernor of Natal, has been appointed Governor of Cape Colony ; Lieutenant-colonel Sir H. E. M'Callum, the present Governor* of Newfoundland, has been appointed Governor of Natal ; and Major Goolo. Adams, Resident Commissioner in Bechu-"' analand, will be Lieutenant-governor of the Orange River Colony.

The following New Zealanders have accepted commissions in the regimen 9 named: — E. F. Ward, Third Hussars; LiJ P. Russell, West Yorkshires ; R. Withe-^ ford, Wiltshires ; J. Watson, North Sta.-* fords ; Captain Garcia, Durhams ; Liei •* tenant R. W. Collins (fourth contingent),,! Oxfordshires ; Lieut. H. Howell, Mari chesters ; Sergeant E. Lascelles (fifth contingent), Third Dragoon Guards ; Sergeaafc E. Fitzgerald (second contingent), Essex ; Sergeant V. W. O'Farrell (third contin-i ent), Derbyshires ; Corporal G. P. Overton (second contingent), Northamptonshires; Trooper C. Steel, Berkshires- ;t; t Trooper Whiteman (third contingent), Mid* dlesex; Trooper G. W. Geddes (fifth cm« tingenty, Munsters. January 6. The western commando is proceeding to Calvinia, in Western Cape Colony, while the eastern has broken into small parties. Another small commando has crossed the! Orange River, west of Aliwal North. The British force who are pursuing Dc Wet have divided into three columns,, who are marching via Hammonia, Commando Neb, and Wolmarans's Hock. The Boers have looted * the town of Ficksburg. The residents fled to Basutoland. Upon the approach of the enemy on the western frontier the disloyalists in Bechu-; analand again rose and joined the Boer\ pftTMvnjiTicl.m.

Twenty-eight 'Boer prisoners, some cattle, and a number of waggons were captured . by the British at Hammonia. .. Five hundred mounted infantry have sailed, from Malta for active service in South Africa. A Capetown City Guard is being formed, thus releasing 4000 regular troops for Active Service. The Natal Volunteers have been warned that their services may possibly be again ' required in the field. i January 7. The" police force recently formed in the western district, Cape Colony, and the mounted rifles from Capetown, are concentrating at Piquetburg road, 50 miles northeast of Capetown, whence they will establish a line northwards. Town guards are - being organised in many places. • Married men from Britain wishing to settle in South Africa are being offered special inducements to enlist in the constabulary. 1 General Bruce Hamilton, in the Botha- " -iviUe district, drove the Boers to the Vaal. -- ' He captured eight waggons and 153 women ■i \ ajtt'd children and 1000 cattle. Clements - h$L TMSCUjsiedr 'Buffelspport. -". ' 4 i&enerab Brabant is organising a flying t Column ]to operate under Lieutenant-colonel L •' Gotrmger between the eastern railways. ■\ I&urrtnderers have distributed Lord 'Kitchener's proclamation amongst the - enemy's rank and file at Bethel. lH'our hundred- troops have arrived at '. xMalmesbury, Cape Colony, where martial •l*w was immediately proclaimed. Ttoe enemy damaged the Kleinfontein mine to the extent of a quarter of » mil- ; lion. Two years will be required to restart .' the mine. Kitchener's troops are insuffi- &• ci(ent to protect the wide area of the Band. 6ir A. Milner is asking the Government . for fiIOO,tXJO to relieve the Outlfimders, one . h*lf to supplement the Mansion House fund, - the other to be loaded on the Transvaal security. Professor Maartens -leclares that Mr Kruger's claim for arbitration is outside the scope tof the Hague Conference. MELBOURNE, January 3. 'Men are volunteering freely in response to Lord Kitchener's request foijf additional mounted troops. ~ January 4. Lord Kitchener has cabled to the Minister of Defence that he understands • Australia is sending men to fill vacancies in the cont .tfogerfts, and asks when he may expect -"them. . Lord , Kitchener pays a high tribute . to the Australian soldiers, and adds that 'if a proportion of men over and above the number required are sent it will' enable him . to Bend home some of those who *have - urgent private reasons for returning. He also asks that the men be fully horsed. •^ It is intended to send about 400 men •- «nd extra-horses. N A letter received from a member of Brabant's Horse throws light upon Mr Bryn Roberta's charges against the South African colonial troops. The writer states : "In " .October, last year, the Kaffrarian Rifles and Horse struck, and laid down their Arms. The colonel threatened to put the Cape Mounted Rifles' gun on them. They «aid they would give them a fight for it if they attempted such a thing ; so you can imagine it was fair mutiny. All those who ~ refused duty woe taken prisoners, and in • lace of the enemy put off the field in dis- - -grace. They declined to give up their arms 1 on tie ground that they were necessary for ', their- protection ; but their horses, saddles, and bridles /were taken.- I believe they had " •to -go. before Lord Roberts on a charge of mutiny while on active service." - The troopship Orient arrives to-night with the returning soldiers. Passing Cape Otway she signalled : " Have 300 sick, but no carriages require?."

January 5. - ' The Orient has arrived. Her troops in~l 'eluded 827 invalids, of whom 49 are New ■Zealanders ; but even the invalids are able '* - to-'get about, and are much improved by

the voyage. The men will come ashore tomorrbw.

January 6. ' .' Tlie -Orient's "troops landed and marched through the streets to the Exhibition Buildings, where they were officially welcomed l>y the Minister of Defence and other Ministerial and military heads, who made speeches eulogistic of their services. The officers commanding the various detachments replied. There were large crowds end much enthusiasm.

January 7. The New South Wales Medical Corps lave returned from the Cape. They were present at over 65 fights, and lost only six men.

SYDNEY, December 29. ~_^ A meeting of the Premiers will be held Siere to consider Mr Chamberlain's request ■ to keep the South African contingents up to their original strength. Tasmania has already started enrolling men. South Australia replied that they would be glad to despatch troops, but that nothing could be done till the return of tfie contingent from • December 31. /. The Premier of Tasmania has informed Mr Seddon that, he will follow New Zealand's example and send additional troops to the Cape. r. A numbe^ of ;tht New Zealand«rs who are back from South Africa wish to return " there, "but Mr Seddon insisfo on their return to New Zealand first. He is endeavouring to arrange with the Union Steam Ship Company for a steamer to take • the men already here and those aboard the Orient direct to Dunedin. If he canmt secure this he will request the use of the Orient for tke purpose,

The Governor lhas received a telegram ] from Lord Hopetoun concerning the request fcom the Marquis of Tullabardine for 150 Scotsmen to join his Scotch Horse, which he is raising in South Africa. The Government fail io see how they have anything to do with the matter, as it is apparen'tfy a private scheme. January 5. Arrangements have been, made for a conference of the Premiers to consider the sending of further troops to South Africa. It will probably meet next week. The question of acting in union will be discussed. January 7. A conference of Premiers considered the request of the Imperial authorities to send further troops to South Africa. Subsequently Sir W. J. Lyne despatched the following cablegram to Mr Chamberlain : — " A meeting of Premiers of all States in the Commonwealth much pleased at the expressed high commendation of Australian soldiers* unanimously agreed to comply with the desire of the Imperial Government for further drafts. So far as can be judged, to make up the balance of Australian contingents we require about 2300 men sad 2500 horses. Can be ready about the end of this month. Shall be glad to know how long the troops engage for, if pay commences from enlistment. Absolutely necessary Imperial Government send transports to convey tb South Africa. Very desirable equipment other than horses be found on arrival there. New South Wales soldiers now there must have option of returning. ' Mr Seddon to-night presented, on behalf of the contingent from South Africa, a photographic shield to Lieutenant Hughes as a mark of the men's appreciation of him as an offices. The Premier said he would not make many more presentations to Hughes as lieutenant, as his commission as captain of the militia would shortly be issued. He thought a mistake had been made in South Africa in sending .single men home till the Boers were absolutely quelled. New Zealand would send another 2000 men if necessary. He eulogised the men for their devotion to duty. They had done credit to the colony. < *

ADELAIDE, January 3.

Some 400, including about. 20 who served in previous contingents, have volunteered for South Africa.

ALBANY, January 1.

During the voyage of the Orient from South Africa Trooper Salter, of the New Zealand fourth contingent, jumped overboard and was drowned, despite all efforts to save him. He had a fall from his horse at. the front, which injured his brain. Three men had been told to watch him, but he managed to evade their attention. HOBART, January 1. Many good riders and first-class shots are offering for service in South Africa.