SOUTH AFRICAN TOPICS.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10661, 9 March 1903, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN TOPICS.

JOnited Pbess Association— By Electing Telkqbaph— Copvbight ] Capetown, March 6. Sir Gordon Sprigg, Premier of Cape Colony, replying to a deputation of Moderates, said he hoped,by union and reconciliation the Cape would become the premier colony of South Africa, which was her right, fie said it was difficult to justify, the detention of political, prisoners for offences of less magnitude than of those who had fought tp the end of thß * war, 1 and for which thb latter were merely disfranchised. He announced that the Parliament elected on the new register would meet in June. Melbourne, March 7. Advices have been received that the new land line has been erected between Capetown and Durban, com--bletihg the Cabe cable. Railway Conference. iteceived March 8, 4.30 p. in. March 7. The Railway Conference at Johannesburg has adopted the Natal-Harrismith-Wige River route for the Johannesburg railway, to cost £1, £30,000. Daring Robbery. Two men, by using cayenne pepper, blinded a couple of Customs officials at Johannesburg who were conveying a bag containing five thousand pounds to the bank. They wrested the bag from the officer conveying it, and hit him with it, and then handed the bag to a horseman, who, starting a headlong flight, knocked down a Mr Brandon, manager of a local firm. The horse bolted, and threw its rider, who rushed with the bag into a house near by, and when arrested gave the name of Frank Goddard. He was charged, and remanded to the 17th instant. Mr Brandon succumbed to his injuries.