THE RISING IN NATAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 54

THE RISING IN NATAL.

PIETERMARITZBURG, June 12. On the occasion of the attempt made by Colonel Mackenzie and Colonel Barker to envelop 20 companies of Bambaata's Mehloknzulu's impis in the vicinity of Moine Mountain, it was daybreak before the Mome Valley was closed at both ends. The rebels became alarmed at their position, and broke back in two parties to the mouth of the gorge.

Captain Macfarlane, of the Transvaal Mounted Rifles, poured in a heavy volley at close range, and the bulk of the rebels fled at the first volley, but eoine of the more daring opened fire.

Suddenly Captain Macfarlane threw up his hands, crying "My God ! " He had been shot through the heart. The trooper who held him in his arms was also wounded.

Colonel Barker and the mounted police closed one end of the valley, but the bottom of the gorge was left open owing to a premature alarm, and the natives, who were aided by a fog, streamed up the donga, and -succeeded in escaping. The Northern Rifles charged the rebels on the flank, Lieutenant Bundle shooting Mehlokazulu. Bambaata, though wounded and his horse shot under him, joined Siganandi. Captain Macfarlane was a South Australian, and was with the first Australian contingent in the Transvaal war. He had ■won his commission and the D.S.O. He ■was recently engaeed in farming in the Orange River Colony.

Forty rebels were shot in trees, from which they were throwing assegais. Their total loss was 400.

Mehlokazulu's standing among the natives was superior to Bambaata'6. The former was a crack shot, and fought in the late war.

June 13. It is reported at Eshowe that Bambaata has died from his wounds. Up to d3te 575 rebels have been killed. Bambaata is alive, and in the Meala Mountains.

June 14.

Siganandi's eldest son, who was surrounded at Akandia, has surrendered to Royston's Horse.

Mr Saunders (Native Commissioner) considers that the rumours regarding Dinizulu's disloyalty are unjustified.

Colonel Mackenzie surprised a number of rebels in the Meala caves, killing 35.

June 15

It is officially announced that Bambaata was killed on the 10th, and that ITis body has been identified. It is believed that Mteli also was killed.

June 16.

Bambaata was shot through the body and sLrm. Bis corpse Trae found n-ear ttuib of Mehlokazulu.

June 17.

Colonel Mackenzie is sending the native levies home. He has given tie rebels till Tuesday to surrender.

June 18

Lieutenant Mareden, of Royston's Horse, who was wounded when the attempt to envelop 20 companies of Bambaata's and Mehlokazulu's impis was made, has succumbed to his wounds.

Siganandi's sons and a number of important natives have surrendered.

Most of Bambaata's induna6 have been killed.

CAPETOWN, June 14.

Colonel Rodger, who commands 500 men, recruited from all parts of Capo Colony, is mailing shortly for Ea&t London, Natal.

LONDON, June 14

Lieutenant Marsden was not killed at Momo Hill, and there are hopes of his recovorv.

A piece of wedding cake, sent to a Christchurch medical man for the purpose of ascertaining whether it contained ptomaine germs, was subjected to a form of analysis certainly not contemplated when the specimen was handed over. The cake (says the Press) was discovered by two of the doctor's youngsters, whp, in blissful ignorance of the suspicions surrounding it, promptly ate it up between them. No ill effects resulted, however, and the doctor, who was called on as a witness in the case in which the wedding cake and other delicacies figured, said he concluded from that that the cake was harmless and free from offending microbes. '" I suppose,"' observed a solicitor engaged on the case, "even a, microbe will pass a wedding cake."-