The Transvaal.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3835, 24 December 1901, Page 1

The Transvaal.

London, Dec. 19. The Standard's Brussels correspondent states that in Boer circles it is considered that Kruitzinger's capture is the greatest loss since Cronie's surrender. Aba pro Boer meeting in the Birmingham Town Hall many Unionists gained admission,and assailed Mr D. Lloyd George, member of the House of Commons for Carnarvon. Cries of traitor prevented him from speaking, and he escaped in a policeman's clothes. Forty thousand people outside smashed the windows, and carried a vote of confidence in the Government. Rioting followed, breaking up the meeting inside the building. Twenty seven people were injured, and one man was killed. The indignation that characterised the meeting was largely dne to Mr George's previous attitude, coupled with attempts on the part of Sir H. Campbell Bannerman's supporters to interpret Lord Eosebery's speech as leaning in their direction. Dec. 20. When Badenhorst was captured, Commandant Berger narrowly escaped Fourteen farmers in the Oudtshoorn district have been imprisoned and fined for not reporting the enemy. Casualties :—Victorians —Private Whelan, died of wounds; Farrier Sergeant Wallace, severely wounded at Grootbi. Queenslauders—Trooper Roberts and Lance Corporal Murphy, died of enteric fever. New South Welshmen—Private Oldham, killed at Witkraus; Private Pitt, died of enteric fever. The Johannesburg Exchange has opened, and has caused a favourable effect on the Paris Bourse Colonel Steele's constabulary at Magliesberg captured 32 Boers, and Lieutenant General Methuen at Allonby captured 32. The War Office has ordered b'.ia embodiment of six battalions of militia, and the enlistment of 2000 Yeoinonry, accepting married men in prospect of their settling in South Africa. The Standard's Brussels correspondent states that Mr Kruger's obstinacy is increasing daily. Mr Asquith, speaking at Bilston, said that if Lord Eosebery's speech had untransformed, it had at any rate cleared and defined the situation. The union of all parts of the Empire was conseerated by imperishable memories to demand honourable and durable peace. Meanwhile the prosecution of operations would be unflagging in valour and alertness. He eulogised Lord Kitchener as a great and patient General The Times says the readiness of the Canadians and New er3 to re enlist answers the monstrous calumnies of some Englishmen, which the latter are not ashamed for foreigners to repeat. Eeuter's agency reports that American dealers having raised the price of mules, the British War Office will transfer its orders to South America unless the rise is abandoned. John Koch has been convicted in conneo tion with the recent plot at Johannesburg. Predikant Dempers, in his testimony on behalf of the refugees, admitted that while Kruger fed the poor and refugees on mealies only, the British supplied the refugee camps with plenty of flour and groceries. The Birmingham Liberal Association is responsible for J 51.50 damage d >ue wheu Mr Lloyd George attempted to address a proBoer meetidg in the Tow-i Hall. Thirty charges against Scheepers include murder, arson and train wrecking. ' Dec. 21. Colonel Allonby surprised Wolmaran's laager at Shoongezicht, south of Balmoral, capturing 32 of the Middleburg commando, including Major Pretorious, of the Staats Artillery. Lieutenant-General Methuen captured Varansburg's and Potgieter's laagers. Potgieter narrowly escaped with his family. Much stock and important papers were also captured. Botha is near Steynsdorp. Colonel Dartnell, of the Imperial Light Horse and Yeomanry, engaged and drove off De Wet near Langberg after a four hours' fight. Colonel Campbell at Bethlehem co-operated. Five Boers were killed and 20 wounded ; one of the British was killed and 14 wounded. THE MORE MEN MOVEMENT. Sydney, Dec. 20. The Premier, in reply to a question, reiterated his statement that he considered that New South Wales had done her part in sending troops to South Africa. He was not prepared to ask Parliament to incur further expense unless at the instance of the Federal Government. New Zealand is in a different position, and plays off her own bat. Mr Barton states that he intanda to wait till the Imperial authorities officially announce exactly what they require before moving in the matter of sending a contingent. Dec. 22. Mr Barton hrs received a cablegram from Mr Chamberlain, stating that in view of the prolongation of hostilities in South Africa, the Imperial Government will be glid to accept the services of a Commonwealth Contingent to the number of 1000. Preference will be given to men who have previously served in South Africa. The Commonwealth is to supply horses, saddlery, and uniforms, the Imperial Government repaying the cost. The transport will be arranged by the War Office. The period of service is for one year, or the duration of the war. w r Barton replied, that the Commonwealth would gladly provide a contingent, and that the State would have been prepared to meet the demand of a larger number of men if asked. Melboubne, Dec 20. Large army contracts for hay and other produce for South Africa have been secured locally. Hobart, Dec. 20. The Premier states that the Cabinet favours sending a Federal Contingent, and is of opinion that the Federal Government should move in the matter. He supports a conference of Premiers to discuss the matter.

Wellington, Dec. 20. The sister steamers Cornwall and Surrey have been selected for the conveyance of the Contingent to South Africa. The vessels are being chartered from Messrs Burt and Co. One vessel will leave Wellington, and the other Lyttelton. The steamer which leaves Wellington will probably get away about the 20th January, asi will cull at Auckland to pick up tha horses and northern section of the Contingent. The question whether members of the Contingent can remain in South Africa after their term of engagement has expired has been settled. They must come back. An exception will be made in the cases of men who obtain appointments and are recommended to be allowed to remain by the officer commanding the Contingent. Dec. 21. It is now certain that Colonel Davies will be offered, aud it is considered probable that he will accept, command of the Eighth Contingent. The Premier has received the following memorandum from His Excellency the Governor :—" I have received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 20th December, stating, with reference to a telegram sent to him that oyer 1100 men have volunteered in 24 hours for the Eighth Contingent for South Africa, that * His Majesty's Government warmly congratulates your Ministers on the splendid spirit shown by the colony, and thoroughly appreciates it' " Major Andrew, commanding the Sixth Contingent, cables to the Premier that the members of the contingent are all well. He suggests that there should be a New Zealand brigade, the men of which would not weigh more than 10 stone, officers and staff officers to be New Zealanders, and the brigade to be commanded by New Zealanders. The Imperial Government should provide two pom-poms, a tramsport engineer, signalling scout, and field hospital. There would then be a possibility of New Zealand maintaining its identity in the field. Christchukch, Dec. 20. Tenders have been let for supplies for tha South Island division of the Eighth Contingent. The Kaiapoi Woollen Company are the successful tenderers for the major portion of the supplies. The number of volunteers at Timarn for the Eighth Contingent up to 4 o'clock on Saturday totalled 10 officers and 130 men.