THE TRANSVAAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3538, 23 January 1900, Page 1

THE TRANSVAAL.

Capetown, Jan, 18 The Persic steamer, by which it was proposed to send tho New South Wales Bushmen's Contingent, is delayed here till the end of the mouth, owing to beldam ag o d ru d dor- h e ad. Catetown, Jan. 19. General Gataere pushed his troops from Bushmaushoek to Loperberg. Colonel Hector Macdonald, who it was recently reported would succeed Lord Methuen, has arrived at Capetown. Dukhan, Jan. 19. An impressive thanksgiving service was held at Ladysmith on tho 7th iust. The congregation sang the National Anthem London, Jan. 18. The cargo of tho German steamer Bundesrath proved not to be intended for the enemy ; it will bo shortly released, and Britain offers satisfactory guarantees that the seizures will not be repeated. A great controversy is going on with reference to the strongtii of the British artillery. The Times admits That the British fieldfguas.are equal to those of -any,Continental Power. Tho Anglican Bishops recommend that Septnagesima Sunday should he set apart as a day of intercession for tho welfare of tho nation and tho troops. London, J.m. 19. Major-General Sir Henry Bundle, commanding at Dover, has been appointed to tho command of tlio Bth Division of the Army Corps, which is being mobilised for

active service in tho Tiausvaal. Tho steamer Buudesrath has been rcleased. The Eighth Division has boon ordered to mobilise at Aldershot immediately. It includes the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards and the 2nd Battalion of the Scots G uards. Seventy-two guns, 3710 men, and 2210

horses, will embark next week to reinforce Lord Roberts January 21. Mr Cl. W. Steoveus, the brilliant correspondent of the Daily IVla.il at Ladysmith, has died of fever. The Doers have undermined Johannesburg and fort with a view of destroying the town. Reuter’s correspondent slates that moderate Capo estimates place the total Doer losses during the campaign at 6125. The Dritish press are displeased with the almost minatory tone of Count Von Billow’s speech, "he Times says that it is unwise for Germany too far to exploit delicate international questions in furtherance of her big Navy Dili. Berlin. Jan. 21. Count Von Bulow in the Reichstag explained that the commandeis of British war vessels had been instructed not to interfeio with Gorman vessels on more suspicion that they wore carrying contraband ; and that an indemnity had been offered for the wrongful detention of vessels previously seized, Sydney, Jan. 19. The American Tobacco Company have given 100 guineas to the Now Zealand t'atriotic Fund, and a similar amount to each of the A uatralian funds. January 20. The (p.ieen'has cabled her thanks for the further expression of loyalty manifested in the departure of the second contingent. Sydney, Jan. 21. The Premier has received a cable, requesting the transports to call at Durban or Port Elizabeth for orders. All the vessels are instructed except the Southern Cross, which went direct. The Surrey sailed last night. In connection with providing a convoy, the Admiral informed the Admiral commanding the Cape of the departure of the transports. Major Thompson, an Imperial remount officer, ships 1000 New South Wales horses for army service in South Africa. Mr Chamberlain has cabled to Mr Lyne accepting the offer of the Bushmen’s Contingent, and stating that the troopship would be sent from the Capo to convey them to South Africa. BRITISH TROOPS ADVANCING. DmuiAN, Jan. 18. Lord Duudonald commands only a small force. After crossing the Tugela be spent two days in “ sniping" operations against the enemy, awaiting Major-General Lyttelton's arrival. Major-General Lyttelton’s troops waded and fended across at Potgieter’s Drift, and occupied tbo kopjes in the vicinity. Howitzers and naval guns on Mount Alice, near Zwartskorp, effectively shelled some strong entrenchments. The artillery covered Sir Charles Warren’s crossing. The enemy fled after desultory firing. A pontoon bridge was subsequently thrown across the Tegola. Sir Charles Warren is advancing towards Spienkop and Dowdrop. A telegraph line has been erected to keep up communication. He reports that his troops are in high spirits.

Dukhan, Jim. 19

On his first arrival near Botgietor’s Drift Lord Dundonald found the Boors quite unprepared. They were totally unaw-are of his proximity, as many were bathing. The crossing of the Tugela at Botgietcr’s Drift by General Lyttelton’s Brigade was accomplished under great difficulties. The troops waded the swollen river, the water being waist high, and to prevent themselves being carried oil' their foot the men grasped one another by their rillcs. The opposite bank was thus reached in safety, the enemy meanwhile offering virtually no opposition. Lord Dundonald’s mounted troops were engaged in action westward from Acton Homes, and occupied a kopje. Cornet Heilbron and twenty Boors were killed and wounded, and fifteen were taken jpi,soners. -•-> ■ . The Boers blew up a bridge which they had been building seven miles w-estward of Potgieter’s Drift, by which they had intended to outflank General Duller. General Bailor's transport consists of five thousand vehicles. The military balloons gave valuable assistance in connection with shelling the Boer trenches near Swartzkop. Many Loirs galloped from Colenso upon the approach of the British forces. January 20. Two British wore killed and two wounded in the skirmish at Acton Domes. A detachment of General Warren’s Dragoons has reinforced Lord Dundonald. The latter has 2500 men with Maxims.

The Boers are iu strength at Spionkop. General Warren’s force is steadily advancing. He has occupied the kopjot commanding a ravine to the westward of Spionkop. Major-General Lyttelton’s Brigade has gained a position two miles further forward.

The bulk of the Boers iu Natal arc hastening to repel Sir Kedvers Duller. Ten thousand arrived on the 11th, and commenced to feverishly construct formidable entrenchments. Their main position extends miles westerly along the kopjes opposite I’otgietcr’s, whore tbo river is tortuous. Spienkop is the highest hill on the river, and is used as the base. Their emplacements and entrenchments extend back for miles. Tho Boors are compelled to defend the lino from Colonsc. to Acton Homes, a distance of twenty-six miles. Thej- sullenly endure in silence the bombardment of the British guns from illount Alice. They refused Major-General Lyttelton’s challenge to touch the British, who come within rifle fire of their trenches.

Mr Buunet Burleigh considers that Lord Dnndouald’s success secures tho control of an easy entrance to Ladysmith, and interrupts the retreat of the enemy into tho Free State, Lord Dimdonald’s seizure of Potgieter’s, and Major-General Lyttelton’s passage of tho Tugela, are considered magnificent feats.

Capetown, Jan. 21. Lord Dundonald has captured one of Kruger’s grandsons. Owing to heavy rains tho roads arc simply quagmires, and Sir Redvers Builer’s transport difficulties are terrible. The capture of alcalde boat party by the Louth African Light Infantry swimming the Tugela ifiver, under a heavy fire, was one of the pluckiestincidents'of the advance. London Jau. 19.

The Times, discussing Sir Rcdvcrs Builer’s movements, considers that tho Boers hold no continuous Hue of defence, but mainly occupy two positions and are comparatively isolated, one being in front of each British camp. Tho numbers of tho Boors are unknown.

Tho press applaud tho boldness of Sir Kedvers Buller’s strategy and tho skill with which ho executed tho various movements. Tho Times estimate that General AVarreu has 12,()00 infantry, 1500 cavalry, 30 guns and six howitzers ; Sir Kedvers Bailor 7000 infantry and 18 guns and howitzers, besides naval guns. General Glory remains at Colenso. It is expected that General AVarreu and Sir Kedvers Bailor will unite near Blaauwbank, eight miles from Ladysmith. The movement threatens all lines of tho enemy’s communication south of Ladysmith. Late a. Loxd Roberts cabled that General AVarreu is advancing northwards from Trichart’s Drift iu tho direction of Spionkop and Dewdrop, and hopes to turn the strongly entrenched Boer position situated five miles from his right. In reference to the passage of the Tugela, General Buller cabled that General AVarren’s force crossed the river by means of a pontoon So yards long. He hopes that General AVarren will have advanced five miles towards tho enemy’s position by the evening of Thursday. The Boers are busily engaged entrenching and otherwise fortifying positions to resist the British advance.

General Buller made a sjiirited appeal to the men of tho relief column. He declared that it was intended to relieve Ladysmith; there would be no turning back; at tho same time he warned the troops to beware of treachery, especially of the abuse of the white flag. A later report states that the British crossed the river practically without opposition. General AVarren shelled the trenches of opposing Boers with howitzers all day on Thursday, and succeeded in making a breach in a sand bag emplacement winch the enemy had thrown up to protect their guns, and the Boex-s did not respond to the fire. The success which attend the British advance put the tx-oops in good heart, and they are now full of confidence. A DETACHMENT OF LANCERS AMBUSHED. Durban, Jan. 19. It is variously estimated that from 10 to 25 men, commanded by Lieut. W. A r . Dowling, of the Ist Australian Horse, on Tuesday j-econnoitx-cd towards Nox-val’s Pout. AAJxile returning in the afternoon they encountered CO or 100 Boers. Tho colonials raced fox- a neighbouring kopje, intending to hold it until x-elioved. A volley from tho Boevs who wore ambushed on a kopje killed half the hox-ses. The colonials oncountex-ed a similar reception at the second kopje, hut started again, maintaining a gallant running fight. A few of Remington’s scouts arrived towards the close of the fight. One named Bennett charged with the greatest determination, rescuing a wounded Lancer. Three well-mounted colonials x-oached camp. They reported that two had been killed and 14 captured, of whom it is feared that seven oxeight were badly wounded, as the Boei'S were seen carrying some and helping others who were unable to walk. Lieutenant Dowling was taken prisoner. The mishap is attributed to the treachery of a Dutch fax-mer, who, it is believed, warned the Boers of tho whereabouts of tho patrol, enabling them to advance so as to compel the Lancers to x-otreat on an ambushed kopje. Capetown, Jan. 19. Further details of the disaster to the Now South Wales Laxxcox-s and the Australian Horse show that Kilpatrick is dead,

•and Sergeant-Major Griffen of the Australian Horse was killed. The following are missing Lancers : Sergeant-Major Fisher, Sergeant McDonald, Corporal Hopf, and Troopers Daley, Dondnoy, Pound, Johnstone, Roberts, Taylor, and Whittington. Australian Horse: Corporal Wilson and Troopers Eames and Lynn. General French explains that Lieutenant Dowling’s Lancers were halting at a drift to watter their horses when they wore surprised by the Boers. London, Jan. 19.

■ The Daily Mail’s correspondent states that a patrol sent on Wednesday to the i scene of the Lancers’ action found the dead , body of Griffiths, of tho Louth Australian ; Horse; also Corporal Kilpatrick, of the Lancers, badly wounded. The bodies of ... Ah.v.eu dead Boers and a horse were found on removed. Reuter first states that two men escaped and returned to camp, but later on states that six more had come iu, including one 1 man, who, when his horse was shot, lay hidden until tho Boers retired. The face of the body recovered was shattered, presumably by an explosive bullet. /• * TRIAL OF REBELS. Uai-etown, Jan. 18. Captain Dowse of tho Queensland Contingent, giving evidence at the trial of 35 rebels captured at Sunnyside, testified that be commanded a division of the Queenslanders at the Sunnycide engagement, eighty yards from the prisoners, and that Private MacLeod, of his company, was killed during tho engagement, and that he was twice shot. ’ The trial was adjourned. General Items. Captain Reid’s case was under the consideration of Ministers on Friday. Iu reply to his lequest for a statement of reasons leading to his dismissal, ho was informed that Major Cradock had reported adversely upon him, and as Commander of tho Contingent his report was final. The Government, however, intend to offer Mr Reid one of the positions in the Colonial Defence Department at present vacant. A few days ago tho railway men at Ash burton suggested that a Contingent of skilled railway employees should bo sent to South Africa,. The Hon. Mr Ward communicated with tho Capo authorities respecting tho proposal, and a reply has been received stating that it is probable that men would be required. The Now Zealand Railway Department thou issued a circular asking for tho names of those who were willing to go. A large number of applications for service have been received, hut nothing further can be done until later information is received from the Cape. The camp at Newtown will not be disturbed after the departure of tho Contingent. It will he available for the accommodation of visiting volunteers, and tho Wellington battalion will then occupy it for their usual training. After they have finished it will begin to receive the men of tho Third Contingent. Colonel Sommervillo,. who has # put in an enormous amount of work’over this Contingent, loaves for AVanganui about Tuesday, and will probably select the,men to represent the district in the scouts’ contingent, h; Thieves went through the officers’ quarters at tho camp, AA r ellington, on Friday night, taking revolvers, portions of tho Government kits, and suits of clothes. Captains Smith and Fenwick, and Lieutenaud Fiudlay’wcro the chief suffererr. One hundred and fifty two applications for enrolment in tho Canterbury Corps have been received in three days. It is considered that sufficient funds are already available to equip 00 men. It is suggested that small centres favouring more men, but which have insufficient funds to equip a troop, might forward what funds are available to the Canterbury AVar Committee to be expended in adding to the troop which is now being enrolled. The Imperial Government have wired accepting the services in South Africa of the six nurses from Uantorbiirjv and they will be attached to tho Army Medical ; Staff ou arrival. The Steamer Lincolnshire with six nurses, a doctor, and . dresser who have volunteered for South j Africa, left for Capetown at 4 am. ou . Sunday. Ou her leaving the warf ou Saturday evening tho crowd heartily i tho nurses, and tho ship Sheila fired a ; salute. < I Patriotic Fund. ] The Patriotic Concert at Pleasant Point added about -£34 to the fund. j A social given iu Air James Meehan’s 1 large store at AVaikikilii on Friday evening : realised .£25. ; The floral fete at Dunedin in aid of the . Patriotic Fund was a great success, and is expected to realise JMOO. - A social is to be held in the Public Hail, J Fairlie, on Friday evening next in aid of ! tho Patriotic Fund. ;

The Temuka, AVaimate, and Battalion Bands gave an open air concert at Timaru ou Sunday near tho wharves iu aid of the Patriotic Fund. A great number of people gathered, and .£l2 12s Gd was collected for the fund. Mr Janies Rickus collected £6 11s from the Maoris at Tomuka and Timaru fox- the patriotic fund, the following being the names of the subscribers :—Mr and Mrs James Rickus 10s Gd each; Eruera AVaaka, Toone Tikao AVira, Henere Kokox-o, Parahu, 5s each; Namana Tarawhatu, Is; J. AV. Keiroa, 3s; Hiria Kcrei, Hana Tini AA r aaka, Teouo AVhitau, Kiwaka Anaha, Ihaxa Rehu t Pa, Paraiki Paura, Matiki Paura, Hemi T. Paiki, Kiti Kahn, Pari To Aika, Haro Kahn, AY. M. Newton, AV. Tox-epe, Mere Kokoro, 2s Gd each ; Hera AA r ira, Kakcra Kahn, Hapo Taipana, Teoti AAJiaori, Miria H. Komara, llerewiua Kemara, T. Leonard, Tieno AVaaka, Rahera AVaaka, Meriana AA r aaka, Koso Keiroa, Kiti Torepo, 2s each ; Arapata Renata, Meteriata Renata, Iloniriata Hapikitini, Tix-iata Kahn, Hana Taipana, Motoitoi Hakumanu, Matox-ia Anaha, Kox-o-rohn Mihaka, Mata Whaox-a, Iwa AVhaori, Ripeka Paiki, Tupai Reihaua, Puaka Whitau, Hoani K. Jvaahxx, Meki Maihax-o, A. AVaaka, Poti Teuruaaki, Mini AVaaka, Ariti Nutini, Hana AVaitiri, Pirihira AA r arahi, Hera Hapata, AV. Samuel, J. Fowler, A. Kemp, Is each; Ripeka AA r aaka Gd; total, LG l-l-s. The collections ou Saturday by the Post and Telegx-aph War Relief Fund amounts to £1776, in addition to which £CSS has been promised. It is expected the fund will x-each .£2500. A proportion of the subscriptions are from the public. LETTERS FROM CAPETOWN. Mr John Opio, of AVinchestex 1 , has kindly permitted us to peruse and make extracts from two letters received from two brothers of Mrs Opie, who are now iu Capetown, having- been driven away from their businesses in Johannesburg. So many New Zealanders are now engaged in the war, Glare about to proceed there, that any reliable nows will doubtless be of interest. Mr Horatio Collins writes on December 15th

“ Of course you get the news regularly and will know just how the war is proceeding here. Our fine generals sometimes make what appear to be most stupid mistakes and lose a lot of men, hut then England, of course, will win in the end, and Boerdom will he a thing of the past. The Capo Colony is also infested with a lot of Dutch disloyals, and the Reformed Church is reeking with treason; in fact had the Dutch Reformed Church done its duty I do not think there would be any war. Now, however, Africa is tasting the horrors of war—hundreds killed and thousands prisoners and wounded. The Boers are assisted by a lot of German and French officers and men, and the English generals will have to be quite awake or we shall have to report another catastrophe to English prestige in South Africa. If England stops short of- thoroughly subduing the Dutch in South Africa, then good-bye to Britain as a first-class Power. Tommy Atkins is all right—never a general had better men than are here in Britain’s cause in South Africa ; but we are fearing the generalship, and have had two or three nasty knocks already-. There is an immense amount of privation and suffering, and most people are ruined that were at the Rand.”

Mr A. C. Collins writes under dat< December 16th : “ We were turned out of house and home i and had to clear over the border or other- ; wise take up arms against our own people • and that of course we would not do foi , Kruger and all his army of scoundrels and highwaymen put together. War is a i fearful thing, but South Africa could not ; do without it. as it has been going on foi , years past. The Boers want to drive the English out of South Africa or strip them of all power in this country and make them slaves to the Boers. That’s really the pith of the whole subject, and they thought their time had arrived for so doing, but I . think they will bo sadly disappointed before the finish of this war. They have come down into British territory and plundered and destroyed everything they could put their hands cn. They stole all the cattle, and took all the provisions they could find, and in many places commandeered British subjects by force, and put them in the ranks to light against their own people, and made fires with their furniture. They are a lot of brutes and scoundrels and their leaders are no better. If you look at tho map you can see where and how far they managed to get into British territory. They got within 35 miles of Maritzburg, in Natal, but fortunately they were stopped there by our forces. They intended to have taken Maritzburg and Durban, and then finish up with taking Capetown. They got a long way into the Cape Colony, as far as Du Aar. They surrounded Kimberley and Mafeking, and those two towns are our now surrounded by tbo enemy and also Ladysmith, in Natal, All the small towns they took possession of, and destroyed everything they could find and gave the British people seven days to clear out of the country or take up arms against their own people. This, mind you, is in British territory, not in the Transvaal. Thousands of people are ruined, who had happy, comfortable homes, but now they are depending on what little they can got from friends and strangers along the coast towms, where ’they all fled for protection.- So its no use talking about peace these times. If you get a robber in your house the first thing you do is-to try and arrest him and got him out of your house, and disarm him, to prevent him from doing any more harm. 1 hope our troojis will be able to prevent the scoundrels from coming any further down into tho Capo Colony, There has been seme very heavy engagements and many lost on both sides and many prisoners taken. England has her hands full iu dealing with the Boors, with the number of troops she has got hero. Tho soldiers are fighting with wonderful courage. Tho English soldiers have the same courage and chivalry to-day as they ever had. They have gone in here, in several instances, right in face of tfio ene- : my’s fire and bayoneted tho enemy in his own trenches. They seem to stick at nothing. I see by tho papers that the New Zealanders are doing good work as scouts. Being good riders and good shots they are able to render valuable assistance to tho troops. The Australians and Canadians are also in with them, and all hard at it. All the Volunteers from the colonies got a splendid reception here from the British* subjects. I shall be glad when the war is over; but the Boers must have a sound thrashing first. This war is brought about purely through England being too lenient with the Boers in the past. The Boers do not understand England being lenient to them, and leniency shown to them by England is taken and looked upon by the Boers as fear on the part of England, There is not the least doubt but what they thought they could thrash England with very little trouble. In fact, some of their Legislators said England would only be breakfast for them. If they get a good thrashing they know it and understand it; but they do not understand kindness coming from the British Government. They still say they will hoist their flag on Table Mountain, at tho back of Capetown. The greater portion of them are only half civilised, any way, so tho only chance to do anything with them is to thoroughly crush them or their power. They take every mean advantage they can in fighting or in any other way, and they are bom liars. It is natural to them to lie. Do not run away with the idea, as many do, that the Boers are fighting for their liberty. They are not fighting for their liberty, but fighting to take away other peoples’ liberty and to oust England out of Africa.