THE TRANSVAAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2980, 2 January 1901, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL.

AUSTRALIA'S OPPORTUNITY.

Received 8.56 a.m., December 31st. SYDNEY, December 31. Mr Frost, Cape representative at the Commonwealth celebrations, says that Australia will find her opportunity in providing food supplies for the new population that will find its way to South Africa after the war. Cattle, butter'and other products would be required in large quantities.

ADELAIDE, December 31. The Governor has received a telegram from Lord 'Hopetoun covering a request from the Mhrqnis of Tullibardinc for 150 Scotchmen to join the Scotch Kqrse which he is raising in South Africa. ;i Government fail to see how they can'(do anything in the matter; apparently* it is a private scheme.

LONDON, December 30. Great Britain has awarded £IOOO to the widow of Mr Labrain, the American engineer who constructed “ Long Cecil,” a gun which played an important part in the siege of Kimberley. *

capture of Helvetia by the

BOERS,

THE LIVERPOOLS MADE PRISONERS.

Received 1.10 a.m., January Ist. LONDON, December 31.

The Boers on Saturday captured Helvetia, a strong position on the Machado-dorp-Lydenburg railway, which was held by a detachment of the Liverpool Regiment, whose casualties were 50, besides 200 who were made prisoners.

CAPTURE OF A BOER CONVOY.

THE BOERS BESEIGING ZEERUST.

REOCCUPATION OF HELVETIA BY THE BRITISH.

Received 1.30 a.m., January Ist. LONDON, December 31. It is denied in Brussels that Mr Kruger advised Botha to submit to the British. A convoy of 35 waggons was captured on Christmas Day west of Vryburg. The Boers have occupied Vasburg, and are virtually besieging Zeerust. The Boers threatened Carnarvon until repulsed. General Settle is assisting Generals MacDonald and Jones’ operations against the invaders in Cape Colony. The British under Colonel Reeves reoccupied Helvetia. Major-General, F. W. Kitchener and a small force are pursuing the Boers who captured Helvetia. Famine prices prevail at Kimberley. General Colville, interviewed in London, said that he courted inquiry, and declared that he was unwilling to become a scapegoat because Lord Roberts’ staff had bungled at Lindley. He cited other instances of the incompetence of Lord Roberts’ staff. - , FARMERS CO-OPERATING WITH THE BRITISH. . Received 1.10 a.m., January Ist. LONDON, December 31. The fanners in the Venterstad distrid are co-operating with the British against the roaming Commandos. The Dutch Cape Churches observed Sunday as a day of humiliation and prayer. THE COLONIAL TROOPS. Received 1.30 a.m., January Ist. ' LONDON, December 31.

It is understood in Durban that Lord Kitchener cannot officially ask the colonies to send more troops, but he wishes ii

to be known that Canadians and Australians on arriving in Natal will be eligible for immediate enlistment in tire irregular corps which is 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 Schreiner’s late Ministry, on a charge of making a seditious speech at, a secret Afrikander meeting held at Graafreinet 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. CAPTURE OF A BRITISH GUN. United 'Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 10.12 a.m., January Ist. LONDON, December 31/ One hundred and fifty prisoners, chiefly captured during the operations against De Wet south of Thabanchu, have arrived at Capetown. The Boers early in the morning surprised Helvetia, rushing a 4.7 gun. Later the British at Swartzkopjes shelled the enemy out of Helvetia. . The Boers surrounded and captured the gun and withdrew it. No ammunition was captured. TROOPS FOR SOUTH AFRICA. ■

Received 8.35 a.m., January Ist. HOBART, January 1.

Many good riders and first-class shots are offering for enrolment for South Africa.

DROWNING OF A NEW ZEALAND

BUSHMAN.

ALBANY, January 1,

During the voyage of the Orient, Trooper Salter, of the New* Zealand Bushmen, jumped overboard and was drowned, despite all efforts to save him. He had had a fall from his horse at the front which injured his brain. Three men had been told off to watch him, but he managed to evade attention.

Received 8.53 a.m., January Ist. CAPETOWN, December 31. The Rev. Mr Steytler openly preached a seditious sermon in the principal Dutch church in Capetown. Many of the congregation left. A. BOER DEFEAT.

Received 6.35 p.m., January Ist. LONDON, December 31.

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

BOERS DERAIL A TRAIN.

Received 11.8 p.m., January Ist. LONDON, January 1. Five hundred Boers derailed a train near Standerton, capturing ten soldiers, five waggons and supplies.

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

Per Press Association.

AUCKLAND, December 31

Volunteers for the Sixth Contingent were put through various tests to-day. Lieu* tenant-Colonel Banks complimented several officers upon volunteering for service, being content to rank as privates in the Oontin-

Wellington, January i. The acting-Premier has received a cablegram announcing that Major Madcoks, Lieutenant Walker, 688 Scott, and 1100 Orange, has sailed from' South Africa for Australia by the Damascus on December 28th.

OAMARU, December 31.

Up to to-night 39 applications for enrolment in the Sixth Contingent have been received here.

DUNEDIN, December 31. There were 208 applications from Otago up to 1 o’clock to-day, and many waiting to enrol their names in the Sixth Contingent.

The total of applications is 284. The ' medical examination and a portion of the riding test were gone through to-day. The Hon. J. 6. Ward has communicated with the chairman of the defunct Organising Committee re giving a right royal reception to the 98 New Zealanders who are returning by the Orient. The Mayor and most of the members of the Patriotic Committee being out of town, no definite reply can be given till Friday. Mr Ward says that if the circumstances of tbe holiday interfere lie is sure that Lyttelton or Wellington will give a welcome.