THE BOER WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 26

THE BOER WAR.

GOLD OK THE SUCCESS OF THE PEACE DELEGATES. I —AN EARLY SURRENDER ANTICIi PATED. ANOTHER BIG DRIVE.— TWO HUNDRED IRRECO>XILABLES CAPI TURED. FREE STATERS THE IRRECONGILABLES. ! THE SIXTH- CONTINGENT.—RETURN- | ING HOME. THE PEACE PROPOSALS.— WHAT THE DELEGATES DEMANDED. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S REPLY. STEYN'S SAD PLIGHT. LONDON, May 5. Naval reinforcements have been landed at Port Nolloth, on the coast of Nainaqualandj and hurried inland towards Ookiep. The Daily Telegraph reports that an emissary from Steyn and the burghers has brought the Utrecht despatches connected with the peace negotiations. The Standard's Durban correspondent states that the. .proposal of Sir Albert Hime, the Premier- of Natal, that if the new territories-- were- immediately annexed to Natal the latter might make her own terms pf peace, is generally condemned by. -the newspapers, on the grounds that- the Imperial Government are the only 'authority, to drjouss terms with the enemy.- .. . The Daily-- Express states that Lord Wolseley returned from South Africa with pessimistic ideas, owing to his knowledge of the obstinacy and ignorance of the Boers on the veldt. ' Most promising goldfields have been discovered in the Vryheid and Utrecht districts. a. L. Day (Eighth New Zealanders) was dangerously injured internally througn a fall from. a. horse- at Vaalbank. May 6. General Bruce Hamilton's drive iv South Heidelburg aud Standerton resulted in the capture of 87 Boers. Prinsloo, at one time Governor of Bloemfontem, who surrendered early in the war, afterwards remaining on his farm on parole, was recently captured by the Boers. He has, however, escaped and regained the British lines. The Times's Pretoria correspondent states that English is to be the official language, though Dutch will be tolerated. The War Office has accepted a Sydney tender for 500 tons of flour aud 75,0001b of corned beef and mutton. May 7. Lord Kitchener's weekly report states that 10 Boers were killed, 122 taken , prisoners, while 14 surrendered. I Colonel Cooper expelled the Boers from Stein Kop, the only stronghold leading to Ookiep. Colonel Rochfort di'-per^d a com- .

At Bloemhof Colonel Colenbrander has resumed operations against Beyers, whose numbers are considerably reduced. General lav Hamilton has cleared the area »west of Klerksdorp, facilitating future operations. Information has beeu received afe Pretoria that the delegates were successful in securing consent in favour of a surrender now that the opportunity is a favourable one. The commando elected Commandant Piet JJys and Cornet Dangers io proceed to Vereeniging. Beyers is expected to represent the northern burghers. He abides by the decision of his Government. The chief opposition emanates from certain of De la Rev's irrecoucilables. It is believed Botha's men follow their leader. The award of a medal to Lieutenant Picton while corporal in Loch's Horse, and prior to his lieutenancy in the Biibhveldt Carbineers, has been cancelled. Robert Hauslow, of the Ninth New Zealand Contingent, died of dysentery at Newcastle. Mr Bennet Burleigh states that the burghers in the refugee camps regard peace as certain, but the military are pessimistic and preparing for an increasingly vigorous campaign. May 8. Lord Kitchener reports that General Elliott on Tuesday held the Liudley to Liebeubergvlei line, and Colonel Barker the drifts from Liebenbergvlei to Frankfort. A continuous line of columns left Frankfort, Heilbron, and the Vredefort road line at dawn, without vehicles, rapidly reaching General Elliott's line in the afternoon. Ten Boers were killed, and 208 captured, constituting portion of the mofct irreconcilable of the Free Staters. Many horses aud cattle were captured. Our casualties were nil. Colonel Cooper relieved the Ookiep garrison, and the enemy retired south. The miners at Coucordia surrendered, provided the mines were not damaged, but the enemy- had gone when the relief party reached town. The larger Free State commandos, especially that under De la Rey, are the most irreconcilable. Commandant Bowers was killed during the fighting at Ookiep. An armoured train was derailed near Pretoria. One officer and 10 soldiers were killed. May 9. Thirteen additional prisoners were captured iv the last Orange River Colony sweep. Amongst the prisoners taken were 34 of Beyers's commando. The Berlin Merchants' Guild blame the pro-Boer press for German firms losing orders and contracts with Britain and the colonies to the extent of hundreds of millions of marks. May 10. A. L. Way, of the Eighth New Zealanders, has .succumbed to the effects of a fall at Vaalbank. May 11. The natives whose kraals the Boers burned discovered aud attacked the Boer laager at Scheepers Nek. They killed ! 30, being the majority of the commando, ! and handed throo prisoners over to the British at Vryheid. The transport Englishman, with lA.ustralian troops aboard, has arrived at Durban, May 12. Reuter's Pretoria correspondent, writing on April 19, states that ex-President Steyn is in a serious condition. He is suffering from creeping paralysis aud a malady of the eyes. At the first conference between Lord Kitchener and the Boer delegates, the latter demanded the independence of the two republics, promising to raze the forts ajid concede a liberal franchise to the Outlanders. The British Government refused, as they did also the request for the retention of arms. They offered

farms, and raised no difficulty with reference to pardoning the banished leaders, i The delegates pleaded leniency for the • rebels, recognising the justice of disfranchising them. It is believed they were assured the difficulty was not insuperi able. The Government declined to fix ' a date for granting responsible Govern- ! ment, but promised it would be granted at the earliest possible date. 1 Steyn' s attitude- is as fanatical as ever. He persuaded the Transvaalers to ! make a truculent demand for independence. De Wet at first was sullenly obstructive, but afterwards more conciliatory. De la Rey and Botha expressed their ' willingness to obey the Transvaal Govemj ment. Steyn and Schulk Burger insisted j on consulting the burghers. The Times says that when the Boer delegates merely offered to concede all the franchise demands made on behalf of the Outlanders before the war, the British Government intimated that the udleburg Conference represented the • maximum concessions. They refused to I permit consultation with the European delegates, warning the delegates then 1 conferring that they had better drop negotiations unless they submitted serious proposals. The delegates stated that they must consult the burghers before negotiating t for the surrender of their independence. ! Lord Kitchener warned them they ' must return with full powers. The i burghers agreed to this proposal unreservedly, but Mr Steyn less so. SYDNEY, May 10. The troopship Aurania, which left the Cape on the 6th, has 1600 troop 9, mostly j for Sydney, aboard. There are Cl New I Zealanders ameng them, j SYDNEY, May 11. The Cornwall, with 308 returned troopers of the New Zealand Sixth Contingent, arriVed last night. She tran- I shipped the men to the Monowai, which sailed this morning. The Cornwall's troops are all well. They are in charge of Colonel Banks. Some of the Sixth Contingent who were to come on in the Cornwall elected to join the Ninth Contingent when they reached Durban, and returned to the front. ALBANY, May 6. The Norfolk, with portion of the Tenth New Zealand Contingent, has arrived. ALBANY, May 7. The Norfolk behaved splendidly in the recent gale, aud lost only four horses on the run from Sydney. She resumes her voyage to-night* NEWS OF TEIE SICK AND WOUNDED. WELLINGTON, May 6. The Acting-Premier has been advised as follows from South^Af rica : — A. L. A. Way, of Ohristchurch, Eighth Contingent, dangerously ill, having- been injured internally at Vaal Bank on May 2 through a fall from his horse. R. E. Anplow, Wellington, and Coulon, Oamaru, both of the Ninth Contingent, ill — the former from dysentery, the latter from rheumatic fever. There is no change in the condition of Lieutona.nt Lascelles, of Napier. The present whereaboute of Bartill, formerly of the Rimingttfn Guides, is unknown. John M'Kay, of, Riverton, Seventh Contingent, and G. A. Fraser, of Wellington, Sixth Contingent, are both convalescent. John A&hton, Dunedin, Seventh Contingent, has recovered and rejoined his regiment. John Con=;dine, Auckland, Seventh Contingent, is nrogressing favourably. Hugh M'Donald, Eighth Contingent, and S. E. Whitta, of Makuri, are both with ; their regiment, and well. LEFT BEHIND. MASTERTON, May 6. News has reached hero by private letter that over 100 members of the lleventh Contingent wore left behind at Durban wjien the transport Cornwall left for New Zealand. NEWS OF THE SICK AND WOUNDED. WELLINGTON, May 7. The Acting-Premier has received a cable from Capetown as follows : — - B. B. Andrew, of Wellrogtqii, Ninth Con-

! William Warner, Wellington, Seventh > Contingent, is dangerously ill at Pretoria ; of enteric. I The condition of Lieutenant Lascelles, of j Napier, has slightly improved. J J. B. Beasloy, "Wanganui, and Lee, Wellington, aro now convalescent. RETURNING FROM THE WAR. WELLINGTON, May 7. Lieutenant Revell, of Ashburton, and 48 men of the Sixth and Seventh Contingents ; sailed by the Aurania for Australia on May 4. RETURNING PROM THE WAR. WELLINGTON, May 8. The Governor has received the following. j cablegram from South Africa: — "The Aurania left Capetown on the 4th May, having on board Lieutenant Christian, of the Johanj nesburg Mounted Rifles, nine men of the j South African Irregular Forces, and 51 men; ; of the New Zealand Mounted Infantry, in- ! elding eight invalids, for New Zealand. The I ship calls at Albany for orders." | NEWS OF OUR SICK AND WOUNDED, WELLINGTON, May 9. J The Governor has been advised as follows i from South Africa: — "Dangerously ill, 4thr | May, at Potschefstroom, Patrick Lea -and c William Grant, of the New Zealand! ! Mounted Infantry, both from injuries." • In reply to inquiries, Major Palmer, afe | Capetown, cables: — "Corporal Urvrin. Wei- | lington, Sixth Contingent, is now convalesf cent. The coffdition. of Sergeant Walter \ Miller, Wellington, is xmchanged. laeu- ' tenant La'scelles, of Napier, is slightly im- • proved. Lieutenant Colledge's condition is • improving. Harvey ha? been discharged^ J from the hospital well. Whitta and Makuri j are convalescent." ARRIVAL -OF THE CORNWALL. WELLINGTON, May"9. Messrs Bannatyne and Co. have received advice that the Cornwall arrived at Albany • on the let inst., and was to sail next day for ' Sydn&y. It is proposed to ship her troops , into the Zealandia and Monowai on Sunday : morning, the 12th, ii arrangements can be made to detain the steamere. If this is not ! possible, the troops will leave by steamer on Wednesday, the 14th, and come via Auckland. DANGEROUSLY ILL. WELLINGTON, May 12. The Governor is advised that Trooper James Burke, of Pukeuri. Oaraaru. of the Ninth Contingent, was dangerously ill of dysentery at Elandsfontein on May 8. A NICE BILLET. WELLINGTON, May 12. Mr W. D. Campbell, formerly editor of the Timaru Post, and latterly of the Wellington Sun, has been commissioned by the Government to write up a history of the doings of the New Zealand Contingents in South Africa. j News has been received in Oamaru that Sergeant Aitkenhead, an Oainaru boy, who ha^ been for two years a member of Marshall's Horse, was killed in action afe • Sutherland, in Western Cape Colony, on March 24. An Invercargill message states that the 20 lady teachers selected for the South African concentration camps left the Bluff by the Westralia yesterday morning. Mr De Castro, representing the Education Department, finally completed arrangements,, and saw them off. A message from th» Minister of Education wishing them Godspeed and good luck was read. As the steamer left the wharf a number of bombs were fired as a farewell salute, the teachers singing "Auld lang syne." The old pupils of the Port Chalmers District High School purpose placing a tablet) in the school to the memory of their schoolmates who h>ve fallen in defence of the I Empire in South Africa. The complete list of New Zealand school teachers selected by the Education Depart- | ment for service in South Africa is as fot-c Iow8 , : ,-- Mi38 A. M. Devin, Helensville, AucklancJ; Miss L. derrick, Devonporfy Auckland; Miss A. W. Arrow, New Ply- 1 mouth; Miss F. J. Davis, Te Arai Bridge-, Gishorne; Miss P. Ferguson, Gladstone Uoad, Napier; Miss M. Parker Wellington; Mtes ». E. Webb, Wellington; Mies M. J. Hay, Picton; Miss H, F. Ladleyv Wakefield, Nelson; Miss A. E. Orr, HokiJ tika; Miss A. C. Preeton, Kumara; Misa 3- A- Guige, Ohristchurch ; Miss M. APopple, Addington, Chrisfcohurch ; MLja 4- M. Dunn, Timaru; Miss A. P. M'Lcoa, Dunedin; Miss H. L. M'Leod, Dunediny Miss 5. G. Ralston, Blue Spur, Otagojj Mia* A. L.. Rees, Dunedin ; Miss M. E. EJ Taylor, Dunedin; Miss E. M. Jackson^ Invercargill. When other remedies fail, try TUSSI« CTJRAr However bad your cold, mtyo*

'Nelson Creeks w«re offered at 70s, but buyers closed, at 60s. New Halfway Houses were .weak, and No Town, Creeks also declined a (little. The latter were sold at 31s, at which jprice there were further buyers, with sellers tot 81s 6d. Olrigs were steady, two sales taking (place at 255, and one at 25s 3d, while the clos:ing quotations were 24s 6d and 25s 3d. Pacjtolus shares hardened a. little again, and E-iße »nd Shines were steady. Sales of the latter '^were recorded at 21s 3d and 21s 6d, and further inquiries were made at the former (price, sellers closing at 21s 6d. Two sales of •River Molyneuxs took place at 7s, at which figure more shares were obtainable, but buyers /would not give more- than 63 9d. Sailor's •Benda were a good deal firmer, sales being made at 87s 6d, 37s 9d, and 38s, -while the closing quotations were 87s and 3Ss. A sale of JEtafalgaxs was effected at 255, after which fcuyera closed at 24a 6d, with sellers at 265. ppoer Magnetics recovered again, and a transaction took place p.t 7s 6d. with further buyers at 7s 7§d and sellers at Ss €rt. I May 12. — Golden River, 8s; Meg and Anme, 16s • Monte Christo, 223 and 22s «d ; Xo To-a 11 Creek, 31s; Olris, CXa, 25s 3d. and 05s; Rue and Shine, 01s 3d and 21s 6d; River ifolyneu\-, 7s; Sailor's Bend, 37s 6d, 37s ed, and 335; Trafalgar, 255; Upper Magnetic, 7s GO. The following sales were made during the week : — i£a y 6.— Alpine Consols, 12s; Excelsior, 2s BS; Earnscleugh No. 3, Is; Golden River, 7s Bd; Junction Electric, 2i*-6d, 24a 3d, Piid 245; fcong Valley, 10s 6d; Monte Ckrietc. 27s &d. i • May 7.— Endeavour. 10s; Golden, iliver, 7 6d ; ' function Electric, 23s 9<\; ICo Town Creek, BOs; Rise and Shine, 22s 6d; 4s and l*s Cd; Vincent Ext-er.decl, 7s 6d; Waimumu .Central, 83. *-May B.— Golden Iliver, 7s Cv: Lafranchi's -"jFreehold; 8s <5&; Moiyncux Hohinoor, 6s Gel Wis'.^ Old Dnustan, 33 Gd; Olrig, 23s and 23s Bd ; Rise and Shine, 22s 6d ; Royal Maori, 14s ; Bailor's Bend, 32s 6d; Vincent Extended, 9s JEd and 9s. . I -May 9.— Cromwell, 555; Golden River, 7s «a ; Junction Electric, 23s 9d and 23s 6d ; Meg «nd Annie, 15s 6d; No Town Creek, 31s 6d tend 325, Olrig, 24b 6d ;. Sailor's Bend, 32s 6a ■nd 335 ; Teviot, ss ; Upper Magnetic, 7s. - May 10. — Bendigo, 12s; Boundary Creek, fes 3d; Enterprise, 28s; Golden River, 7s 9d, 6s, and 83 ljd; Junction Electric, 23s 6d ; INew Halfway House, 9s ; No Town Creek, 325 ; Olrig, 25s and. 25s 6d; Rise and Shine, 21s 6d, >ls 9d, and 21s 3d ; Royal Maori, 13s.