LATER CAPE NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 691, 9 May 1879, Page 2

LATER CAPE NEWS.

CAPE TOWN.

The Colony had almost recovered from the excitement by the Islandula mas» sacre, and had begun to gain confidence by the generous support afforded % the Home Government, when it was again startled by the news that another .convoy had been cut to pieces by Zulus! -/Tins time the loss was not so large m numbers, but, out of 104 men of the 80th regiment, only 36 are known to have escaped. It would appear that, on the 12th March, a train of 22 waggons was encamped on the banks of the Intombe, when, shortly before daylight, the alarm was given, and our men called to arms. So great was the force of Zulus (5000), that our men were utterly overpowered, and all formation was lost, and a hand-to-hahd fight ensued ; many were besieged while endeavouring to swim the river, and the wounded brutally mutilated. The news was conveyed to Inerberg by Lieutenant Harwood and Major Tucker, and' 150 men were immediately ordered to fche spot, and saw the Zulus retreating m the distance. They recovered the guns and ammunition, and buried the dead. Major Black and 27 volunteers made a dash last week and visited the scene of the Islandula massacre. They found upwards of 100 wagons still on the field, appearently uninjured. They also recovered some private and nmcial papers. After this rffair, our forces generally retired and remained on the defensive, ] Colonel Pearson's column, which reached Ekowe, was unable to retreat, and have strongly entrenched themselves, . A column of the relief is now m formation, and very severe opposition is expected. 57th, 60th, and 91st regiments, and several of the .Army Hospitai corps and Aatillely have already reached the colony. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held to-day, at which resolutions supporting Sir Bartle Prere and endorsing his policy was unanimously agreed to. It was apprehended some time since that the Dutch residents of Transvaal would give trouble to the Government, but the whole thing seems to have blown over, and they are now disposed to acquiesce therein, and see the fallacy of endeavouring to oppose the annexation of their country. There is comparatively nothing- to record m the Cape Town produce markets, wool and hides maintaining about the last rates with a cautious market. Feathers have been greatly depressed for a long time. Fancy rates hare been maintained, and prices realised far m excess of those ruling m the home markets.