THE TRANSVAAL

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 11 May 1901, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL

SENTENCE ON A FARMER. BENSON'S COLUMN "HAVE A STIFF FIGHT. Received 10 a.m., May 10th. I LONDON, May 9. Van Playen, a farmer of Barkley East, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and fined £IOOO, on charges of treason. Arrangements have been made to ship 1700 Boer prisoners to Bermuda. Mr Arthur Balfour, addressing a meet- | rag of the League in the Albert Hall, London, declared that the country was unwavering in its determination to bring the war to a successful end. Benson's column has, scoured the country

fcom Middleburg in the di.ration, of Roossenkal and Tonsburg, and has reached Belfast. It had one stiff fight, expelling some Boers who wer« concealed in caves. Five British were wounded, including three officers. Tremendous quantities of stock and supplies were captured, and many Boers surrendered in order to save their stock. There are thousands of refugees in Middleburg. OCCUPATION OF WINTERBURG PASSES. CAPTURE OF BOERS, CATTLE, AND WAGGONS. f Received 8.56 a.m., May 10th. LONDON, May 9. A hundred colonials, inarching seventyone miles'ia twenty-six hours, occupied the Winterburg passes, blocking the escape of Scheeper*s commando to the south-east. Captain Hurcombe, with twenty South Australians, sconred the country south of Commissie Drift, and captured eight Boers, and some cattle and waggons. Afterwards Captain Hurcombe, with four of his men were captured but released. SENTENCE ON A BOER RECRUITING AGENT. -RETURNING COLONIALS. Received 12.32 a.m., May 11th. LONDON, May 10. A shop-keeper at Pearston, Cape Colony, has been sentenced to 10 years' penal servitude ibr recruiting for Commandant Kruitzinger. Private Lamb, Victorian Mounted Rifles, was killed at Wagerers Drift. The steamer Morayshire has sailed) from Capetown for Australia with 730 returning colonial officers and men. I

THE COLONIALS REPULSE SCHEEPEB'S COMMANDO. VLLJOEN ALSO REPULSED. Received 10.52 p.m., May 10th. LONDON, May 10. The colonial troops repulsed Scheeper's Commando at Baviaarokloof river." Ben Viljoen, with 600 men, attacked Colonel Beatson's camp. A British pompom and Afa-rfm opened at close range, tilling six. The Boers then fled, abandoning their transport. General Grenfell captured Fort Klipbam, frilling nine and capturing 45 of the enemy. THE RETURNING TROOPS. Per Press Association. ASHBURTON, May 10. The troopers passing throngh by special train yesterday afternoon stayed here 20 minutes, and -were entertained by local officers and by the Mayor.

- . CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. The returned troopers were entertained at luncheon to-day by the reception committee. The Mayor presided. The Premier, in reply to the toast of his health, Eaid that as he was going into that hall he had received a telegram from Colonel Porter stating that the Seventh Contingent had arrived all well. When men were enthusiastic and fresh and strong, that was the time to put them into action, and he hoped to hear soon that the Sixth and Seventh had been put on the track of De Wet, and would not let him escape in the night. There was greater strength in numbers and when men were all fresh. He had it on reliable authority that after a few months in South Africa it was wise to withdraw men and replace them. Supposing snow he were to say—Send another Contingent ? He knew he was stepping on dangerous ground, but what did he care. If he was prepared to say that the Imperial Government would equip and pay the men, the colony to find only bone and muscle, why should not the colony send another contingent ? The Government I would be within its constitutional rights in ' doing so. .They did not know the day when ' fresh troubles might arise, and the sooner the war was stopped the better for the colony and for the Empire. He referred to the value of the experience gained by the New Zealanders in South Africa. H they.had men with experience amongst their Volunteer Force, who amongst the nations of the world would dare to assail New Zealand T They knew how troublesome the Boers had been, but they would be as nothing compared to what New Zealanders would be. They ought to ask for an increase in the Australian Squadron, and New Zealand would be glad to contribute to it, as that was the first line of the colony's defence. He referred to the fact that oats had been sent to South Africa. Horses would be sent, and he had received an order for 5000 tons of cheese, so that there were two ways of looking at the matter. He announced the promotion of Lieutenant Lewin and Lieutenant SommerviUe to Captaincies. In connection with the visit of the Royal party, medals would be given to all those who had fought in South Africa, and they would also be presented to the friends of those who had died at the front. Flags would be given to each company which had been, represented at the front, and he hoped to follow the precedent of the Old Country in having them placed in the cathedrals and churches.

The Mayor proposed the toast of " The Contingents" in an enthusiastic speech. Colonel Jowsey replied. He said that he was then, taking farewell of his official position as in command. He spoke in high terms of the men's obedience to discipline from the first fall in to that hour, and made feeling reference to those who had laid down their lives for Queen and country.

Major Crawshaw spoke for the Second Contingent in terms of high praise. He made feeling reference to the fallen. Seven had fallen in. action by his own side.

- Captain Sommerville and Captain Lewin also spokeAfter luncheon, the men marched through the principal streets to Cathedral Square, where they were dismissed. Enormous crowds loudly cheering lined the whole route. The soldiers were entertained at a conversazione to-night, and at 10 o'clock the northern men left for Lyttelton to embark on. the steamer. RECEPTION BALL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Reception Ball Committee was held last night in Dr Cox's rooms. There were present—Dr Cos (chairman), Messrs BT. Mee (secretary), Hole, Kent, Priest, Young, Turner, John Mee, Turnbull, Kerr, and Johnson. A letter was read from the Garrison Band offering to play outside the ballroom on the 16th. It was agreed that they be thanked for their services, and that if any surplus funds should be left over after the ball a portion would be voted to them. The secretary said that everything had been done in the way of sending out invitations to returned troopers. Mr TurnbuH reported that the lighting was all ready, and that the decoration of flags would be put up on Monday or Tuesday. Mr Kent remarked that if they liked they could have the large screen with the horse and rider that was shown on the top of the mill to decorate the ballroom. Mr Eiby had kindly offered it to the committee. It ■was found that it would be too large to be erected inside, so on the motion cf Mr Johnson it was agreed that it be put up outside and be ffluminated with strong hghts ; Mr Eiby to be thanked for his kindness in offering it. It was agreed that programmes be given out at the ball. The committee had heard it reported that non-dancers would be admitted for one shilling, this is not correct the price of tickets being as already fixed. Mr Young said that an impression that had got abroad that there was likely to be class distinction was a \rrong one. The committee wished it to be clearly made known that this ■»--? not the

case, and that everybody -would be 'welcome. It was proposed by Mr Kent, seconded by Mr Young, and carried, that any returned trooper outside of Timaru should be invited. A letter was read from the Fire Brigade, and it was agreed that seven firemen should be present. The platform round the stores would be railed in, in order to form an open air promenade. The next meeting is to be held on Wednesday night, at 8 o'clock, in the ball-room. A vote of thanks was given to the chairman, and the meeting closed. The committee have had a very kind ofter from Mrs Lindsay to make some sweets for the ball, and they will be obliged to any' ladies who will assist Mrs Lindsay. Anyone wishing to do so will kindly leave their contribution at King's stables oa the morning of the 16th inst., where Mrs Lindsay has undertaken to look after them.

The Sixth Contingent were at sea in the s.s. Cornwall on the date of the Queen's funeral. At 10.40 p.m., when it was noon in England, on the day of the funeral, the engines were stopped, and all the men held a silent parade for 10 minutes. "There was not a whisper during those ten minutes." The bugler then sounded "Last Post," and the men returned silently to their quarters.