THE SURRENDER OF CRONJE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 4, 1 March 1900, Page 2

THE SURRENDER OF CRONJE.

REJOIOINGB IN NEW PLYMOUTH,

Fkom early morning on Wednesday, u as the intelligence of General Cron Je 8 unconditional capitulation was menf Z ' S"* 4 ®* exciteThe a was manifested! Phe ge°d n ews spread very ntpidly, and as the day wore on the enthusiasm grew ap*u Pkgß of weie hunted U P "d hung in spicuous positions. In a Joy Zt space of tune the town had a gay an* festive appearance. Groups of citi»M congratulated one another on the good news, and it was quite evident that , eor business would be dona, the victory and its pwbable effect being the one absorbing thought the Town Si nnti^ n i BfW<3ue 8 f W<3 u e in «wdenee, and up to a late hour of the evening the town was enlivened with national and Pf™ lc frequently by lusty choruses by the large thiong that accompanied each band. What with the music, the cheering, and tiE filing of cannon on Mainland Will, u ar as sound could proclaim wj 3J there was abundant testimony, of all ages ying with one Jothwm exhibiting their sentiments. The closing ° W ithA sat ddaT ' in «*°«K with the Mayors request, an*KH all the townspeople to take part in the rejoicings, and it may truly be said that the spontaneous outburst of thankful> nesstor the impoitant success of the Imperial and Colonial forces was not only genuine, but thoroughly worthy of the inhabitants of New Plymouth. AT THE CBHTEAL SCHOOL.

The publication of the Premier'* telegram dwiring ft holiday to be given to the children attending the echools throughout the colony must have been m ° S l7 e i 00n ? e , to the teacWng staff, for r 5 ,? d contagious excitement were the scholara—even to the inf.nt classes—that carrying on tiie ordinary school work would have been impo*. sible. It was quite an object-lesson to pass groups of children, of all ages, •agerly discussing the thrilling new* from the seat of war, and it was quite evident that patriotism wis never mora thoroughly paramount than at th« present day. At the Central School a dag was placed high up on the tower; the children were brimful of excitement, but so perfect is the discipline tbat comparative quiet reigned during tta short lime the scholars were in their class rooms. Shortly after 9.30 each standard, commencing with the youngest, was marched into the gymnasium, with quite military precision, the occasion seeming evidently to call toi th a special effort to walk erect with even step. When all had been quickly and easily marshalled into licet i ie building seemed filled with a solid square of young, hopeful, eager lads md lasses, whose flashing eyea gave indication that their owners were on die tip-toe of expectation. . t form, Mr. Dempsey, the head master, •lapped hands for silence, and not a foot stirred or a whisper escaped. Having briefly referred to and explained the nature of the news of Oronje's surrender, he told the children the arrangements made fer celebrating the occasion, and intimated that after the public ceremony in the town the children would have a holiday until Friday morning. Loud clapping of hands ensued.

The Rev. F. O. Evans, who was present and was received with loud cheen, then gave a short address, the point of which was that by devotion to duty the glorious victory had been obtained by -Loid Roberts and those serving with him. He refeired to Lord Roberts' long and biilhant services in India, and, as a moral to the children, urged them to be devoted to duty, and whatever tliey had to do, to do it well. Nor were they to forget that God was to be thanked for the answer given to "the pi ayers offered up on the day reoentiy set apart for intercession and confession, ;In concluding, he called for three cheers for Lord Roberts and the Now Zealand Contingent. This was most heartily responded to. The Chairman of the School Committee, Mr. W. A. Collis (who, with Mr. C. Carter, arrived during Mr. Evans' address), then read the Premier's telegram, and again much cheering took place. At the close of then informal proceedings a grand feu-de-joie was fired by the Cadets, and the children dispersed to prepare for taking put TUBLIC DEMOSBTBATION. With his usual energy in all public matters, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. E, Dockrill) was prompt in taking steps to have the victory celebrated in as popular a manner as was possible under the circumstances. There was no time to gi notice through the Press, so the " crier " was sent round the town to announce the Mayor's request for the closing of the shops at mid-day and for the attendance of the citizens at the demonstration in Egmont-street. It was astonishing how rapidly the news circulated—of course, the school children helped in this matter—and how with such littlo notice, so large a crowd of both sexes found their way into Egmont-street. Twelve o'clock was the ■ time appointed fjr the school children to bo on the spot, but evidently the process of smartening up and donnin* red-white-and-blue favours had delayid the start. However, after a short delay the strains of the Town Band (Mr. Garry's), which headed the children from the Courtenay-street School, were heard approaching, and very soon afterwards the procession swung round into Egmont-street with excellent precision, and the children were" massed almost opposite the Club. A'c this time the street n as fairly thronged, several expresses and cabs feing filled with excited people. The Colonial and British flags were fittingly intertwined, and the spirit of enthusiasm was rampant. Never had such a scone been enacted in Egmont-street as that) which occurred on the impromptu bv^

memorable gathering 011 Wednesday. The Mayor, with Mrs. Dockrill, Mr, E. M. Smith, and others, took up a position on the high bank facing the Club. Addressing those present, and especially the children, he expressed the pleasure at seeing so many present, and read the telegram received from the Premier, which was received with great applause. He paid a well-merited tribute to Lord Roberts (loud and prolonged cheers), and said that it must be apparent that with such an able general there would be no going back until a complete victory was obtained over the enemy. He had called the meeting that afternoon, and requested a holiday to be observed in honour of the victory obtained by our army, and he had no doubt that the success commemorated that day would be deeply impressed on the hearts of all. With regard t* the holiday, he wished it to be understood that it was special, and not to interfere with that of Thursday. (Loud cheers.) He had no doubt but that the next news would be that relating to the relief of Ladysmith. (Immense cheering.) Whatever difficulties there might be, he was quite sure that everyone had full confidence in Lord Roberts and of his ultimate success with the brave army under his command. In conclutdon, he called for three cheei s for " The Queen," which were heartily given, and the children present, under the leadership of Mr. A. Gray, accompanied by the Town Band, sang the National Anthem, the spectators heartily joining. Hearty cheers were also given for Lord Roberts, General Buller, Lord Kitchener, and others, the City Band playing " Soldiers of the Queen."

Mr. E. M. Smith made a few remarks in a highly patriotic strain, and called for three cheers for the Imperial and Colonial forces—a request that was cheerfully and heartily responded to. With three cheers for the Mayor the proceedings, which from first to last were marked with unflagging interest and enthusiasm, were brought to a close, and the large crowd quickly dispersed. VOLUNTEER PARADE. In the evening there was a parade of bath companies of volunteers and the cadets, who marched through the town accompanied by a very numerous body of citizen?, whose loyalty and elation was chiefly shown by loud and frequent cheering. At the Drill Hal), at the close of the parade, interchange of cheering between the companies gave a pleasing assurance of the good feeling which existed, and both joined in cheering the Cadets. It was a memorable oecasion, snd the feeling displayed was in every sense worthy of it.

HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED ELSEWHERE. [PEB PEBSS ASSOCIATION.] Hawera, February 28. The flying of flags, parade of the town by band, and a congratulatory message to- General Roberts were the local results of the news of Cronje's surrender. Auckland, February 28. The Governor has sent the following cable to Lord Roberts " Myself, Ministers, and people of New Zealand heartily congratulate you on your brilliant achievement. The success of your army on the anniversary of . Majuba Hill fills all hearts here with joy, and will largely tend to terminate the war." There were great rejoicings in the city and in the country and goldfields over Cronje's surrender. The city was ablaze with bunting, and a huge bonfire was lighted on Mount Eden, the expanse being defrayed by public subscription. When the news reached the Rough-riders' camp there was great enthusiasm.

Wellington, February 28. I The news of Cronje's surrender was sent to the Rough-riders' camp early, * and thera was a scene of great excite- c ment and enthusiasm. At the same time a feeling of disappointment was 1 manifest among the men, who feared they would not reach South Africa in - time to participate in the fighting. ( The Lieut.-Colonel paraded and addressed the men, referring to the great ' triumph of British arms. He said that ' notwithstanding the victory over Cronje there was yet time for the men to arrive to fight, as the thorough subduing of the Boers would be a long and arduous task. 1 The Rough-riders gave three cheers ' for Lord Roberts and the army, and hoisted the Union Jack. Bunting is floating over the whole city, and all the State schools are closed, the children enjoying a holiday at the request of the Premier. KEPOBT FROM LORD ROBERTS. BIX THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN. [By Electric Telegraph.—-Copyright.] (Received 23, 9.15 a.m.) London, February 27. Lord. Roberts, in a despatch dated 27th, states that " Cronje and all his force capitulated unconditionally at daylight to-day, and are now prisoners in my camp. Hope Government will consider the event satisfactory, occurring as it does on the anniversary of Colley's defeat at Majuba Hill." The Queen has congratulated Lord Roberts upon his victory. It is supposed there are 6000' prisoners. There is great enthusiasm in London and throughout the provinces. (Received 28, G. 30 p.m.) Lord Roberts explains that the defeat of the reinforcements had so demoralised the Boors that he rapidly tightened the cordon and pushed forward his trenches at night, precipitating Crof je's surrender at dawn.

VALOUR OF THE CANADIANS. (Becaived 1, 1.24 a.m.) London, February 28. Lord Roberts described the Canadians' final rush as a gallant deed, " worthy of our colonial comrades."

CABLE FROM SIR ALFRED MILNER. The Premier forwarded the following | to the Secretary of the Government: . Post Office, Wellington" Ilis Excellency the Governor has recoil od tlie following cablegram from Sir A. Jliliier, High Commissioner of^ the Cape, dated 1.55 p.m. on the 27th: ' Gronje surrendered at daylight; congratulate von on noble share taken by troops from your colony,'