THE BOER WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1230, 22 April 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

WHAT KRUGER'S STAFF SAY DE WET AND STEYN THE 08-. STRUCTIONISTS. London, April 20. Kruger’s entourage declare that De Wet and Steyu caused the negotiations to fail, and express delight at the result. THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. THE BRITISH TERMS. TO BE CONSIDERED BY BURGHERS. London, April 21. The Telegraph’s Pretoria correspondent wires it is significant that a majority of the Boor delegates ordered clothes and groceries there for early delivery. The Standard confirms the statement. The Boer loaders were allowed to meet Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner for the purpose of discussing the terms of surrender. Britain insists on the surrender of arms, and acknowledgement of the supremacy of the lawful Sovereign, though willing to consider (heir views on minor points of settlement. The Standard’s Pretoria correspondent says a tentative agreement on a basis of assured peaeo was reached on the Boer invitation. The leaders have gone to their respective headquarters, De Wet at Heilbron, Meyer and Reitz in North Transvaal. Arrangements have been made to enable burghers to meet at different rendezvous on given dates to hear a clear statement of British terms. There will be nothing in the nature of an armistice except on the dates of the meeting. It is possible that some Free Staters will prove recalcitrant, but it is expected the Transraalers almost to a man will acquiesce in the wishes of the leaders. The past fortnight’s severe losses will doubtless have a great effect in inducing a sensible view, A TROOPER INJURED. Sydney, April 21. A trooper named Sevier severely injured his back on board the Drayton Grange, and had to be left behind here. He has been taken to the hospital for treatment. NEW ZEALAND ITEMS. TENTH CONTINGENT. THE SOUTH ISLAND BATTALION. THE CORONATION CONTINGENT FAREWELLED. (IIY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Lvttklton, Kast Night. What is hoped to be the last of New Zealand’s contributions of men to the war in South Africa was despatched on Saturday, when the South Island Battalion of the Tenth Contingent left Lyttelton in the troopship Norfolk. The crowd displayed the greatest enthusiasm, cheering wildly. The Norfolk was accom-pani-d down the harbour by a number of vestels, including the Zealander, Kotoinahana, and Moura, as well as a number of smaller cruft. Dunedin, La-t Nicht. Sir J. G. Ward, the Acting-Premier, has received a cable message from Mr Seddon stating that the Drayton Grange airived at Sydney all well, having lost only one horse on the passage. With reference to the telegram conveying the news of the disaster to the Eighth Contingent, the Premier states that his secretary found the telegram put away nith other cotrcspondeuce in a tin box.

The Star correspondent with the Ninth Contingent, wiiting from Albany, pays—‘On the morning after leaving Sydney we hud a very alarming accident, which for a time made a great number of our k man think we might never reach South Africa. A large derrick in tne fore part of the 8 30 a.m. broke loose and kept swinging to unci fro for about an hour before it was made safe. The officers tiled to make two swinging beams fast with a two-inch hawser, but it snapped like a carrot. For some time we were afraid that the derrick might come down and kill some of the horses, but very fortunately the only injury was to some of them, resulting from the blocks and tackle attached to the derrick striking first of all the stalls, and carrying parts of them away, and then hitting the horses as they swung to and fro. As far as can be told at present repairs will he effected at Albany. The damage, estimated at £SCO, consisted mainly ot the destruction of two lifeboats and the smashing of the winch. For some time the sight of the huge derrick swinging to and fro until it broke off was appalling, and I shall never forget it.’