A BATTUE RAGING AT MAGERSFONTEIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6668, 14 December 1899, Page 3

A BATTUE RAGING AT MAGERSFONTEIN.

THE BOER POSITION ATTACKED. THE BRITISH SUFFER HEAVY LOSS. THE ENEMY MAINTAIN THEIR POSITION. GENERAL HUNTER'S SORTIE. THE NATAL VOLUNTEERS COMPLIMENTED. THE GARRISON AT MAFEKING PLACED ON REDUCED RATIONS. A RHODESIAN FORCE ADVANCING. CAPETOWN, Dec. 13. A heavy artillery duel has been proceeding since Sunday at Magersfontein. The British infantry attacked the trenches and suffered heavy loss. The Boers maintain their position. The battle is proceeding. In connection "with the statement that friction exists between President Steyn and Commandant Crorije, it is reported that the Transvaal troops are dominating the Free Staters. General Cronje, who has General Primsloo associated with, him in command, ordered the shooting of any Free Staters who attempted to desert or discontinue their fire on. the British. The Boers pay a hearty tribute to General HunteD for his successful sortie at Lombardskop on Thursday. .General White, addressing the Natal volunteers who took part in the affair, said the . isa,t was a credit to the colonial troops and the Empire. As a precaxitionaiy measure, the rations to the defenders of MafekLng have been reduced by half a pound of meat and a quar-' ter of a pound of bread per day. A Rhodesian column, under Colonel Plumer, advancing on Mafeking, found Gaberonee, eighty miles norbh of Mafeking, evacuated on Dec. 2. Colonel Plumer repaired the railway, and advanced southwards. (Received Dec. 14, 9.35 a.m.). SYDNEY, Dec. 14. The patriotic fund has reached £5700.