IN THE NORTHERN CAPE COLONY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 38, 16 February 1900, Page 3

IN THE NORTHERN CAPE COLONY.

GENERAL FRENCH'S SUCCESSES FRUITLESS. Received 15, 7 pjn. Loudon, February 14. The opinion of the English newspapers is one of regret that General French's recent successes in the Colesburg district have been murdered by their fruitlessness. MOUNTING OT BOER GUNS. London, February 14. The enemy has placed heavy guns on Ode's Kop, in the vicinity of Colesburg. BOERS PREDOMINATE AT OOLESBURG. THEY HOLD A COMMANDING POSITION. COLONIALS AGAIN ENGAGED. (Received 15, 7 p.m.) Capetown, February 14. The Boers outnumber the British at Oolesburg by five to one. They have mounted a forty-pounder on Bastard's Nek, commanding the country for a distance of 900 yards, and compelling all Majer-Gsneral Clements' outpost? to retire to Rensburg. A detachment of the Victorian Mounted Rifles for some time gallantly defended a position at Maider'a farm, Inflicting heavy loss on the Boers. The Westralians, with detachments of tthe Wiltshire and Berkshire regiments, were also hotly engaged. With a howitzer, they struck and silenced one of the enemy's La Creuzot guns. The transfer of General French's cavalry to the Modder River has encouraged the Boers' attack. A BRAVE WAR CORRESPONDENT. (Received 15,8 p.m.) Capetown, February 14. Mr.X&mbie, the war correspondent, was shot in the head, and died in a quarter of an hour. He was buried on the field. Commandant DeLacey expressed regret at the death of a noncombatant. A BOER CAMP VISITED. BNEMTS FORCES SAID TO BE 120,000. BOEB PRISONERS AT CAPETOWN. (Received 16,1.7 a.m.) Capetown, February 14. Major Reay, correspondent of the Melbourne Herald, Captain Cameron, and a Westralian correspondent, with the assistance of the white flag, visited a Boer camp blindfolded. They were subsequently shown Mr. Lambie's grave by General De Lacey, and received the deceased is wife's portrait and other effects. The visitors were incidentally told that the Boer combatants numbered 120,000. Hales merely fell off his horse, and is likely to be released. There are 438 Boer prisoners at Capetown. It is believed Lord Roberts commands the army corps' cavalry division at the Modder. Major General Sir E. E. Colville commands the 9th Division formed at the Modder, and Colonel Pole-Oarew commands tbe Guards' Brigade'. A TRIBUTE TO THE COLONIAL FORCES. (Received 16,1.8 a.m.) London, February 14. The Times says the distinction the Australians won at Rensburg is a proof of the great value of colonial troops. The paper especially instances the pluck and readiness shown by Captain Madocks, of the New Zealand Contingent, at Slingersfontein.