MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 40, 19 February 1900, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(Received J7,11.35 p.m.) London, February 16. Sir A. Cockburn, speaking at the King's College extension dinner, described mounted troops as of great mobility, and a sure checkmate to the mobility of the Boers. So many colonials had offered their services that selection had merged into a competitive examination. The police force of Sheffield is being trained in the use of the rifle. In the House of Commons, the Hon. St. John Brodrick, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affaire, stated that Portugal was endeavouring to observe the neutrality of Delagoa Bay. It has transpired that General Joubert ordered the printing at Zurich of 5000 ordnance maps of South Africa a year ago. Major Crompton's corps of volunteer electrical engineers, which has been incorporated with the army, will take to the front two traction engines, and a train's searchlight apparatus. Advice has been received that Magistrate Adgison's column reached Isandlwana, in Zululand, having retired from Ngutu in order to avoid a strong

Boer division. On several occasions the small force were nearly surrounded by the enemy. Mr. Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that the Natal Government could not be responsible for the Zulus maintaining peace, since the Boer invasion of their territory. If native territory belonging to the Cape Colony were invaded, the natives would be encouraged and assisted to defend their land. Mr. Balfour stated if the tacit compact that the war should be limited to

whites were infringed, Britain would reconsider her decision respecting the employment of natives, Sikhs, and Goorkas. The Government has chartered the Orient steamer Austral to convey troops to South Africa. General Lyttelton has succeeded to General Clery's command. (Received 18, 6 28 p.m.) Loudon, February 16. In the House of Commons, Mr. W. G. E. Macartnoy, M.P. for Antrim South, said that owing to the high price of coal in Great Britain, the Admiralty was considering offers of Australian coal.