THE TRANSVAAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2678, 5 January 1900, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL.

TOWN EDITION.

GENERAL FRENCH AT COLES-

BURG.

HE MAINTAINS HIS POSITION.

RETREAT OF THE BOERS PROM COLBSBURG.

LORD* LOVAT TAKES OUT DEER-STALKERS.

MORE STRETCHER-BEARERS WANTED.

A TRAITOR AND A FOOD TRAIN.

United Vrcss Association—-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received January 4tb, 9.40 a.m. Sydney, January 4.' Another resident of Sydney has given £SOOO towards the proposed Bushman’s Transvaal Coutingent. The Agent* General has cabled that the Austral* asians in London propose to co-operate in raising the fund.

Received January 4th, 6.40 p.m. Capetown, January 3. The Boers, having been reinforced, \ disputed General French’s entry into „ Colesburg. General French* however, holds the captured positions. The latest news states that the Boers are gradually retreating.

London, January 3.

Lord Lovat is taking to the Cape 150 ghillies as stalkers, who are good shots. He also takes a supply of ponies for them.

Received January 4th, 10.40 p.na. London, January [Z. The American Minister in London has been instructed to obtain redress for the seizure at Delagoa of the American vessels Beatrice Mashona and Maria. Mr Howard Vincent being unfit for active service, the Earl of Albemarle will command the London volunteers. Capetown, January 3. SirEedvers Buller has requested the authorities at Durban to send him 200 stretcher-bearers. 1 A traitor at Eensbnrg, near Colesburg, started a food train, from which the engine was detached, down a declivity towards the Boer lines. The British finding it Impossible to check the runaway, brought artillery to bear and destroyed the train, thus preventing the supplies falling into the hands of the Boers. ' Sydney, January 4. The second contingent sails on the 17th. The transports leave in company. I'HE BUSHMAN’S FOND. THE SUNNYSIDE ENGAGEMENT. THE QUEENSLANDERS BEAR THE BRUNT. THE OCCUPATION OP DOUGLAS. LIEUT.-GENERAL FRENCH AT COLESBURG. Received January sth, 12.50 a.m. Sydney, January 4. The Bushman’s Contingent fund has reached £16,600. > Capetown, January 4. The occupants of Sunnyside laager consisted mostly of colonial Dutch. During, the advance four Queenslanders were patrolling under Lieutenant Adie when they were suddenly confronted by 14 Boers, who wounded Lieutenant Apie in the first volley. Butler gave him his horse, and Private Rose, whose horse bolted, returned to Lieutenant Adie’s help. He received a bullet in the calf of the leg, and'was not killed as previously reported. When Colonel Pilcher advanced the enemy’s sustained fire was ineffectual. At 2 o’clock a company under Captain P. W. Pimrock, a Queenslander, worked completely round on the left. The enemy’s fire then ceased, the white flag was hoisted, and 35 surrendered to Chauve.l. The bulk of the enemy fled, and the pdsition was taken. On Tuesday the force entered Douglas, Major Ricardo, of the Queensland force, leading. The inhabitants were frenzied with delight, shaking hands with the soldiers. The enthusiasm increased when they learned that their deliverers were Australians and Canadians, besides Imperial troops. No Victorians were engaged. . The Boers at Colesburg Junction reentered the town on Monday night. Lieutenant General French reported on Tuesday that if a small reinforcement was sent he would be able to dislodge the enemy from Colesburg. Meanwhile he was manoeuvring outside.

THE QUEENSLANDERS AT SUNNYSIDE.

Eeceived January sth, 1 a.m. Capetown, January 4.

At the Sunnyside fight the Queens landers behaved magnificently! chatting and langbing under fire. A machine gnu in charge of Captain Cecil Pelham, did excellent work.

Per Press Association.

AUCKLAND, January 4.

Another detachment of volunteers for the second contingent left by the Maponrika to-day for Wellington. The patriotic horse fund is now £354. Five Austrians have offered for the contingent, and many others will offer, if these are accepted. Messrs W. H. and A. T. Williams, of Kaipara, offer two horses for the contingent.

WELLINGTON, January 4.

Captain Eeid, of the Waikato Mounted Eifles, was offered the command of No. 1 Company of the Contingent, but as he cannot arrive till late next week it may not be possible to utilise his services. Eecruits to the Contingent continue to arrive daily. A selection will shortly be made of men for the Hotchkiss battery, as 40 men are required for the battery. There will be about 240 men in camp before the Contingent leaves. Trooper Chapman continues in a bad way, but Signal is nearly convalescent. The Premier has received a cable from the Premier of New South Wales stating that their Agent-General wired that the Australians in London are desirous of providing funds for equipping a contingent of bushmen from Australia for service in South Africa, and asking that the various colonial Governments be consulted as to whether they would sanction such a course. It also sta' d that the Imperial Government would accept such a force. Mr Seddon is communicating with the New Zealand AgentGeneral on the matter. Mr Heather, who hails from the Auckland district, will be appointed one of the lieutenants of the New Zealand Contingent. The Post and Telegraph Department have subscribed over £SOO towards the war fund. The staffs are now deciding on what further basis contributions shall be made.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 4.

A most enthusiastic and successful mass meeting was held at the Opera House to-night in connection with the war in Booth Africa. About 2000 persons were present, including 300 volunteers in uniform. The Garrison and three other bands took part. The hail was decorated with flags and two field guns were mounted on the stage. The Mayor moved that this meeting while cordially approving the action of the Government in sending two contingents to South Africa, is of opinion that a third contingent should be despatched as early as Siaslble. This was spoken to by Colonel algety, Messrs Collins, Lewis, and Laurenson, M.H.Bs.. and carried amidst enthusiastic cheers. During the evening patriotic songs were given, and the bands played patriotic airs. The amount gathered in the room was £220 6s 9id, and this with amounts to hand brings ithe Patriotic and Canterbury War Funds np to over £SOOO, and money is still .coming in from the country districts.

HOKITIKA, January 4. About half a dozen members of the Westland Rifles are likely to be accepted for the second Contingent. THE PATRIOTIC FORD. The Manager of the Timaru.Hbrald will be pleased to receive subscriptions to the above fund, and will acknowledge them in this column.

£ s d Previously subscribed... 105 1 2 Archdeacon Harper 3 0 0 A Mother's mite UJ 0 2 6 Employees Caunington Estate (per W. Little Manager) ... IM 2 12 6 Duncan Scott ... 1 0 0 F.J. White ...' 0 5 0 Thos. Mitchell g CO 0 6 0 M.C.O 0 5 0 H. W. Morton 0 5 0 W, Perrier ... 0 10 6 Total ... ... £113 6 8 His Worship the Mayor of Timaru sends us the following £ S. d. Amount previously subscribed... ... 125 10 6