THE BOER WAR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4819, 5 January 1901, Page 1

THE BOER WAR.

London, December 31. The Bo«r3 oar'y in the inorr.ifig surprised Helvetia by rushing our 4 7 guv. Later, the British at Swariz Kopjes shelled the enemy out of Helvetia. The Boers then surrounded the captured gun with their captives, aud withdrew with it. No ammunition was captured by them. Five hundred Boers derailed a train near Standerton, capturing 10 soldiers, five wsggons, and their supplies. Two hundred men belonging to a commando invaded the eastern portion of Cape Colony, and Btopped between Rosmead and Sherborua a train containing 60 of Prince Alfred's Volunteer Guard, who were returning from the front, and 40 women and children,. The solditrß fought, until they had expended all theic ammunition. They were then captured. An officer and three men were wounded. The Boers stripped the men of their arms, and then released them. They alao burned the carriages. The looterß then went in the direction of Middleburgh. All traffic on the line has been euapended, and troops sent to the spot. The Government of Cape Colony, owing to this raid, have issued a special appeal to loyalists asking them to form a defence corps to repel invasion and guard the Hops of comraunicatioD. The term of enrolment i 3 for three months, at the usual colonial pay, and begins on Thursday, the 3rd instant.

General Knox, afler his fight with Do Wet's commando, occupied Senekal. Colonel Hulketr, operating near Magersfonlein, captured 1000 horses. The ammunition on a Boer waggon, at Sonoknl exploded, kitting four men and wounding a daughter of Commandant Haasbruck. *

General Da Lisle defeated the Boers 18 miles to the westward of De' Aar. He captured a number of waggons, and released the Cap 9 Police belonging to Philipßtown whom the Boers had previously captured. One bitfcdred and fifty prisoners, chiefly captured duriog the operations against De Wet south of Thabanchu, have arrived at Capetown. January 1. The correspondent of the " Daily News " at The Hague states that Kru<?er is wavering ; that Wesseio and Woltneran3, the Boer delegates, favor peaca on any tolerable terms ; and that Lejd3 denies that resistance will continue to the bitter «cd.

The " Daily Telegraph " war fund has reached £234.438. With the eaceptiou of £96,180 all the monpy has been distributed.

Five thousand colonial troops from South Africa are expected to visit Loudon in Match. Large sums are being subscribed for their entertainment. January 2. Numerous small commandos are operating between Orange River and Rosemead without a definite plan or substantial advantage, causing the military much trouble and annoyance. " Two hundred and fifty Boers captured 14 of Neebitt's Horße 50 miles south-east of Coleaberg. „

Another commando of 800 captured a quantity cf stock at Wel'evreden. Colonel Williams is pursuing the convoy which waß captured on Christmas Day at Vryburg, valued at £50,000 The Boer ambush was a complete success. The escort of 25 Cape Police offered no resistance, and all were captured . The following colonials were wounded at Wetpoort :— Severely, Lieutenant Miller and Private Morgan ; slJghUy, Private Younger (Sew South Wales Bushmen); dangerously, Private C. W, Brown ; slightly, Sergeant-major Jolly (New Zealand Rough ftidero). General Knox captured some of De Wet's horaes and five waggons containing supplies, also 6,000 rounds of ammunition.

General French captured a large quantity cf c srta, horses, and 12 prisoners.

General De Lisle is pursuing the raiders towards Prieska, who captured the oonvoy at Houvaler'a Drift, towards Prieska,

Capetown, December 31. The Ravi Me Steytrel openly preached

a seditious sermon in the principal Dutch church in Capstovi. Many of his congregation left. Hobart, January 1. Many good riders and first-class shots are offering for aervics in South Africa. Albany, January 1. During the voyage of the Orient from South Africa Trooper Salfer, of the New Zealand fourth contingent, jumped overbn,rd and was drnwned, despite all ft' its to save him. He had a fall from h-3 horse at fho front, which injured his bruin. Thre* men bad been told to wa'ch him, but he managed to evade their attention.