A LETTER FROM BOTHA.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 9 May 1901, Page 3

A LETTER FROM BOTHA.

Received 12.27 a.m., May 9th. LONDON, May 8,

Botha, after the failure of the peace negotiations, published a letter in the "Ermelo Post" (newspaper) urging a continuance of the war, and asserting that Britain desired to suppress the Afrikanders. He declared that the voice of the people ■would be totally disregarded under the Council of Administration, the officials of -which ■would be nominated by the members of the council. Britain ought to accept the responsibility of the State debts of the two republics instead of waiting away -with the assets. The transport Victoria -with the Queensland Contingent has arrived at Durban.

'DEATH OF A NEW ZEALANDEE. Received 10.32 p.m., May Bth. LONDON, May 8. Private H. Atkinson, of the New Zealand Rough-riders, has been killed near Paardeberg. CAPETOWN, May 8. Sir A. Milner, speaking at the banquet given to him by the Capetown Corporation, denied the possibility of weakening the Imperial policy in South Africa since Britain was unshakably determined to leave no room for a recrudescence of Dutch ambition. BOER RAIDERS. Received 9.7 p.m., Mav Bth. LONDON, May 7. Scattered bands of Boer raiders are still operating in the northern and central parts of Cape Colony. Kruitzinger wrecked and burned a supply train near Stormberg. Shortly afterwards the raiders encountered a British force at Driefontein, and sustained) losses. The commandoes led by Scheepers and Malan, having been hustled in the midland districts, have retreated eastwards. BOER CASUALTIES AND CAPTURES. 1 Received 12.27 a.m., May 9th. LONDON, May 8. Lord Kitchener reports that eleven more Boers have been killed, 78 taken prisoner, and 31 surrendered, and that a 12-pr., a 9-pr., and Maxim gun, and 32,000 rounds of small arms ammunition have been captured* I

CAPETOWN, May 8.

Sir A. Milner, at the banquet, declared that he left for a holiday far happier than he would have done six months' ago. The enemy's strength was slowly ebbing under Lord Kitchener's iron grasp. The first beginnings of orderly civil government and the resumption of industry were visible, and he was confident that-he would find great progress made towards a s>ettl«nent when he returned. The speech was receved w,th tremendous applause. Sir A. Milner has sailed in, the steamer Saxon.

NEW ZEALANDERS MENTIONED LN DESPATCHES. COLONEL CRADOCK AND CAPTAIN CRAWSHAW AMONG THE OFFICERS. Received 12.43 a.m., May 9th. LONDON, May 8. Lord Kitchener's despatch detailing the operations up to the beginning of March mentions the valuable services rendered by Colonel Cradock, Captains Crawshaw and Chaytor, Surgeon-Captain Godfrey, Lieutenant Somerville, Sergeant P. Tudor, Quar-ter-Master-Sergeant Stephenson, Troopers Hille, R. Windgate, H. Harler, J. Stevens, New Zealanders.

Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, May 8. I The Governor to-day informed Lieutenant F. H. Hughes, late oS Brabant's Horse, that it was contrary to the agreement existing between New Zealand and the-Imperial'authorities that there should be any] enlistment of .troops in the colony by any private individual. Lord Rarifurly farther expressed the opinion that any such practice would be illegal, and would not be tolerated by the Government.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 8. At a meeting of the committee, which has in hand matters connected with the reception of the returned troopers, a telegrain was received stating that the Canterbury men numbered 52, and that 12 officers and 170 men who were en route to the West Coast and northern ports, were accompanying the Canterbury men, and would stay for a day and night in Christchurch. The chairman reported that arrangements were in hand for billetting the men, and it was decided to en : tertain all at a luncheon on Friday.

DUNEDIN, May 8. The Tongariro was berthed at Port Chalmers at 8 a.m. The weather is fine but dull for the reception of the troops. A close holiday is being observed, but very few took advantage of the marine excursions by steamers to port, th« lat* boisterous weather and the early hour of starting proving obstacles. What may be termed the public portion of the reception in Dunedin of the officers and the men of the various Contingents returning by the Tongariro from South Africa, was marred by rain falling,' but this could not damp the enthusiasm; of the crowd. Port, Chalmers was gaily decorated for the reception there. It' was not till 10.30 a.m. that the returning warriors landed from the troopship. They, were marched through the town to the recreation ground, headed by the port band and escorted by the Navals. The. Mayor addressed the men briefly, welcoming them back to New Zealand, and introduced the Premier, who was enthusiastically received. He welcomed back the; returning soldiers, and thanked them for their services to the country and the Empire. Lieutenant-Colonel Robin, at the. call of the Mayor, said a few words, remarking that it was impossible to thank the people adequately for the reception.: If the demand were made, he believed that: the. men would willingly go back, but he honestly believed that they were not fur-: ther required. Major Jowsey also said; a few-words. Cheers were given'for th«. officers and men, and a-.special cheer for Major. Cradock, followed- by* one for vfibe Premier. After ringing'"by the school children, all embarked on the Tutanekai, and-other steamers for Dunedin." Here a very -large crowd waited patiently their: arrival, but the rain-which commenced in the .afternoon caused some reduction. The steamers were met by a few boats, and escorted to the wharf. - The cheering was very hearty as lie steamers approached, ynd the bands played " See the Conquering Hero Comes," "Rule Britannia," and "Home, Sweet Home." The Volunteers mustered well, and kept a space for landing. • As. soon as Lieutenant-Colonel Robin 1 stepped ashore he was presented by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Webb wi£h. an album and an, address signed by 100 officers of Otago and Southland. The album is beautifully bound and ffluminated. The troopers as they arrived were placed in drags, and a procession was formed, headed by a carriage containing Colonel Robin, Miss Robin, the Premier, and the Mayor. The next carriage was occupied by Major Jowsey, Colonel Webb, Mr J. Robin, the Mayor-elect, and others. Bunting was flying from many buildings. The procession moved down Cumberland street past the hospital, and turning into George street halted in the Octagon, where the religious part of the service followed. Two verses of "The Old Hundredth" were sung, followed by a three minutes' sermon by the Rev. W. Saunders, president of .the Council of the Churches. The Rev. J. Gibb said a prayer, and after singing the " National Anthem " the procession resumed its march, and amid hearty cheering the officers and men made their wav to the Agricultural Hall. The ! building had been beautifully decorated internally by the ladies' committee, the members of which were untiring in their -efforts to attend to the wants of the guests. The chair was taken by the Mayor, supported by the Premier, Colonel Robin, Major Jowsey, Bishop Nevill, and the Mayor-elect. After luncheon and the toast of "The King," at the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given for the returned soldiers. The Mayor then officially welcomed the men. The Premier proposed the health of the officers and men in a speech which lasted about half-an-hour. It was on the lines of that at Port Chalmers earlier in the day. Colonel Robin and Major Jowsey replied, and after votes of thanks, the gathering broke up, and the returning men were taken charge of by friends, relatives, and acquaintances for the remainder of the afternoon. The number who came to town were 14 officers and 276 men. Two were sent to the hospital, and the remainder look after the baggage.

There was a large muster of returned officers and troopers at the social to-night, while volunteers and the general public filled the hall. The Premier gave a brief address, largely humourous. The public insisted on a few words from LieutenantColonel Robin, Major Jowsey, and Captain Crawshaw 3 who received tremendous

ovations. The latter told the story of the capture of the Maxim gun which they bring with them as a trophy.

THE RECEPTION THIS AFTERNOON.

As- there seemed to be some doubt yesterday whether the South Canterbury men were to stay here or go. on by the special train this afternoon, telegrams were despatched, and it was definitely ascertained that local men go on north with the others. There will be 200 officers and troopers on the special train which, Captain Eichardson has advised the reception committee,-will reach the Mill crossing at 2.5 p.m. and leave the Strathallan street crossing at 3.25 p.m. Mr Budd has provided for 260 persons at the luncheon, which will be partaken of by officers and troopers, invited guests and members of ! the reception committee. • Directly lun--1 cheon is over (there are to be no speeches, we understand, at this function), the procession will move off in order of march as detailed yesterday, proceed along Stafford street north, turn the Ship corner into Strathallan street, and halt opposite the archway. Here addresses will be delivered by the Mayor on behalf of the people of South Canterbury; by Colonel Bailey on behalf of officers and men of South Canterbury, and the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, chaplain to the Battalion, will offer up a.prayer of thanksgiving. Judging by the great enthusiasm shown by young and old, the happy reunion will be a brilliant success.

A social and dance to the returning troopers will be held in the Pareora schoolroom on Tuesday evening, next, at 8 p.m. An interesting programme has been arranged, and a large attendance is expected. The president of the Timaru Traders' Association requests the members to close their places of business at noon to-day, so that all employees interested may have time to get ready to attend the troopers' reception. The Foresters, members of Orange Lodges, the Oddfellows, and the Hibernians and Druids, are notified by advertisements to attend the reception this afternoon. Brethren assemble at the respective halls at 1.15 p.m. The committee of the Reception Social and Ball have arranged for a special train to run from Fairlie station to bring people in to the ball to be held on the 16th inst. The train will take visitors home again as soon as the ball is over. The committee are now endeavouring to arrange for excursion fares by the ordinary trains from Oamaru, Waimate and Ashburton, to include all stations on 'these lines. This will enable a number of people who are anxious to be present to attend the reception to be given to all the South Canterbury Troopers who hare served in South Africa. The reception promises to be the largest function of its kind that has taken place in South Canterbury. ■ Each trooper is to be presented with a souvenir invitation, which may be framed and kept as a memento of his welcome home.

The firebells will be rw; to-day, from 2 to 2.15 p.m., and from 2.40 to 3 p.m. Among telegrams received by the Mayor yesterday were two from Major Jowsey. One stated that approximately 250 officers and men would pass through; another that he would go on to Christchurch' and return by Friday's express. The reception committee fpr the returning troopers finished decorating the Strathallan street arch yesterday. It is decorated with macrocarpa, spotted gum-, and other foliage, and makes a very imposing sight. On the top of the arch, on a calico strip extending across, are the words "Welcome Home."

His Worship the Mayor despatched the following telegram to the Premier yesterday:—"R. J. Seddon, Dunedin. Many thanks on behalf of Timaru for wires Te troops. Arrangements made to stop the train at Mill street crossing, lunch at drillshed, march 10 minutes to platform at railway station. Speakers there, yourself and two others. Great enthusiasm. — J. Hole."

Mr Melville Gray, president, and Mr Gns Jones, secretary, on behalf of the members of the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club despatched a telegram yesterday to Captain Crawshaw, at Dunedin, conveying the congratulations of the club to Messrs Crawshaw, Cholmondeley, O'Callaghan, and Knubley, mem-: bers of the club, on their safe return from South Africa, where they have been serving in the New Zealand Contingents.