BOER PRISONERS FOR CEYLON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6827, 21 June 1900, Page 3

BOER PRISONERS FOR CEYLON.

" When the last mail left Ceylon, preparations were in active progress lor the reception of a batch cf Boer prisoners expected to arrive, their number being variously estimated at from two to six thousand. The "Ceylon Observer"'.states that the sit€ selected for, the prisoriers' camp was at Happy Valley, near Diyatalawa Railway Station, in the hill country.. Being Eomt four thousand feet above ssa Level, the cami should be tin- roughly • On May 9; a large number of workmen commenced tc map out the sites for the buildings which have to.be erected. . Between; fifty ;ind sixty ihous^,. I> pi;'.:.Mh^k&-e»ch";. :i: abou <b 120 fret long,''ar,e!^''fefe" N'bMi.t rv';^i >fi all are complete ■^■dre lV^.be I':accommpdationl':accommpdation for fivt or si^"thousand^ persens. buildings axe to be of pOtrugated^lron.' THp'wkter supply utilised b'y^tihe^^ld^f^Snpnatory^tvill be insuffioent fdr^t^/iie^^^o^vt&icamp. It is therefore proposed to take over a paddy field which lite in a valley about 300 yaids east of the camp. A large bund will he raised at the far end of the field to cinserve the watsr of the stream which supplies the field. Then thisVwater will be pumped up about 200 feet to the level'of .the camp* The planters and other European -residents of,Qeyton ore; representad as.being considerably exercised in miiid over the .proposal to pknt down so many Boers in theiT midst, which they consider to be a menace to th« peace of the island. • To understand tLe objectiosß offered, it must be remembered that there are probably no more than six thousand white people in Ceylpn> and these being widely scattered, they would have difficulty in taking concerted action if las - prisoners were to dorm a successful plot ft i escape. It is expected, however, that; a British regiment will be sent 'from India to take charge' of the , prisoners . when t] :ej arrive in Ceylon, so that tttere" aiumld, ')& _no dancer of *» 1 *"