LATEST CABLES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4749, 2 May 1900, Page 1

LATEST CABLES.

_, Tlie Transvaal War. General lan flamutonis jJx<Jum-oi* xufantry are straining every nerve to reach Ladybrand first. Lord Roberts reports that General French on Friday morning effected a junction with Brigadier Hamilton and General Smith Dorrien at Thabanchu. They combine with the intention of ousting the enemy from the eastern outlet of the town. General Rundle on Thursday evening was eight miles south. The Boars at Thabanchu are the rearguard of the main body. General Brabazon's Yeomanry reconnoitred Wepener and returned to Dewetadorp. Commandanta Botha 'a and De Wet's columns are retreating through the ranges dividing Deweisdorp from Wepener. Correspondents' reports Bhow that the Dewetsdorp Boers altered their course between several British columns and made a running fight, narrowly escaping capture. A patrol at Bethulie skirmished with the enemy on the Smith field road. One private waa killed and two captured. A Reuter'a message reports, in connection with the recent attack on the Fingos, that one ot the Fingos escaped by concealing himself in the reeds. The others, though armed with obsolete weapons, fought with desperate courage until their ammunition was exhausted. The Boers then mowed them all down with quickfiring and Maxim guns. Commandant Snyman has protested against Colonel Baden-Powell employing barbarians to raid the Boers' cattle. Colonel Baden-Powell, irT reply, disclaimed any responsibility in the matter, adding that the Boers had burnt the kraals of and stolen cattle belonging to the natives, who were now roaming about destitute and in a vengeful condition. April 29. At Sir Alfred Milner'g request Sir Charles Warren has been appointed Military Governor of Griqualand Weßt during the disturbed condition of the district. The Bubonic Plague. Sydney, April 29. The following fresh cases of plague are reported : — John Boyd, Paddington ; Sarah O'Connell, Balmain ; Peter Motis, King- street, The fresh cases to-day are : — Mrs Whitehead, guest at the Grosvenor Hotel ; Alf. Sheaves, Waverley ; Sam Scott, cabin boy on a vessel lying in the harbor. . » Henry Rodesta, residing near Liverpool, developed plague after an Easter visit to Sydney. A parcel of Zersin's curative serum from the Pasteur Institute, when opened, waa found to contain less than one dose. It is supposed that by a mistake only a museum sample was forwarded instead of the expected larger quantity. Brisbane, April 28. Drevison, a drayman, engaged on the wharf, has been seized with the plague. A case is also reported on board the Cintra, at Townsville.