Te Waka Maori. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1879. WAR AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Waka Maori, Volume I, Issue 22, 22 February 1879, Page 313

Te Waka Maori. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1879. WAR AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

SLAUGHTER OF BRITISH TROOPS. Late cablegrams bring the intelligence of the dreadful slaughter of some 500 British soldiers at the Cape of Good Hope, and 600 friendly Natives, together with 60 British officers. Before translating the cablegrams received, we think it advisable to give our Native readers a little information about the Cape of G-ood Hope, of which colony Sir George Grey was appointed Governor when he first left New Zealand. The Cape of Good Hope, commonly called " The Cape," is situate at the southern extremity of Africa, of which continent, some of our readers may remember, a very full description was given in the' Waka in 1874. The Cape was fixed upon in 1600 by the Dutch as a station for their vessels to take in water and provisions, and at last they began to colonize it. (The Dutch are a people inhabiting Holland, a country to the north-west of Europe.) The black races inhabiting the country in the neighbourhood of the Cape are called Hottentots, Caffr s and Zulus. The Hottentots were either reduced to slavery by the Dutch, or driven beyond the mountains, and the Cape settlement was gradually extended. In 1795 it was reduced by the British naval force, but restored to Holland in 1802. It was again reduced in January, 1806, and was permanently confirmed to Great Britain in ISIS. The Dutch Boers of the Cape

being dissatisfied with British rule, occupied Transvaal, -which is situated to the north of Gape colony, and established a Republic there in 1848. Owing however to troubles with the Native races in which they became involved, and other internal dissensions, the Republic, at the request of the inhabitants themselves, was annexed to the British African territories in 1877.

"We are not at present sufficiently acquainted with the causes of the present troubles at the Cape to be able to give'our .Native readers clear informal-ion on the subject, however we shall no doubt obtain particulars in due time. Some difficulties it appears having arisen, the Cape Government required the Zulu King, Cetawayo, to comply with certain demands made by them, respecting which the Melbourne Argus, of January 21st, gives the following particulars:—" (1.) The surrender of the culprits who abducted the .Natal women. (2.) To pay a fine of 600 head of cattle. (3.) The disbandment of the Zulu army. (4.) Full permission for the missionaries to return to the country, and a guarantee of safe conduct. (5.) The appointment of a British resident. The G-overument promise a fair trial to the offenders. It is stated that Cetawayo has an army of 50,000' men, and that his influence extends to the Equator." On the 20th of January the following cablegram from London was received in New Zealand:— "Advices from the Cape state that the Zulu King Cetawayo has assented to some demands made by the British G-overument, but asked time to consider the others. The Governor positively refuses to accede to his request, and is massing troops on the frontier. ■ " Further advices from the Cape state that the Cetawayos are massing forces in large numbers. It appears there are little hopes of averting war."' Subsequently the following were received : Loxdox, January 25. Reports from the Cape state that up to the 16th Cetawayo had failed to reply to the G-overnor's to fight. The British commander waits to receive complete submission. Meanwhile preparations are being made to cross the frontier. The British troops advanced into the Zulu country in the l'2ih of January. • Capetown, February 10. The 24th Regiment and 600 Natives have been almost entirely annihilated by 20,000 Zulus. Sixty British officers and 200 soldiers killed. Natal is in great danger. The Governor and High Commissioner have demanded instant reinforcements. The Zulus lost 5000 men. [Natal is a possession of Great Britain on the South East coast of Africa, between 700 and 800 miles distant from Cape Town by the coast line.] London, February 11. Six hundred infantry ; two British Cavalry Remittents ; and two batteries leave for the Cape im, j

mediately ; and reinforcements sufficient to terminate the struggle start within a week. February 12. Twenty-five thousand Zulus attacked a portion of the 24th Eegiment and 600 Native levies, captured 100 waggons, 1000 rifles, a quantity of ammunition, and regimental colors. The Zulus lost 5000 men, and the British 500. All the British officers were killed. The Cape G-overnment applied for one infantry, and one cavalry regiment. There is a national panic. LATER. The Zulus have defeated and massacred over 700 British and Native infantry. They enticed 30 officers from the camp and killed them. Bombay and Mauritius have been ordered to reinforce Natal; and 12,000 troops are ordered to sail instantly. The agitation in England is increasing. The First Lord of the Admiralty in a speech regretted the disaster in the Zulu country. He said within a week reinforcements sufficient to terminate the struggle would be sent. The Premier made a statement calling upon the country to wipe out the disaster in Zululand. Bombay, February 13. The Indian G-overnment have offered contingent troops to proceed to the Cape, to put down the Zulu savages. lioyrDox, February 14 The terrible slaughter of the men and officers comprising the 24th Eegiment was caused by their being decoyed into an ambush, when 30,000 Zulus surrounded and butchered them. Officers and men fought desperately hand-to-hand, and killed hundreds of the Zulus. They fought, wounded and dying, to the last breath. The Zulus lost 5,000 of their number. A terrible vengeance awaits them. Fifteen swift British steamers, of the largest tonnage, will be despatched with reinforcements, and every possible provision will be made for the protection of the Europeans. Adelaide, February 17. The G-arrone brings Cape news till 27th January. The British third column camp was attacked, and looted by the Zulus. Ten waggons and oxen were taken, and commissariat stolen. The camp was gallantly defended. The enemy were afterwards attacked and defeated with trifling loss. "We shall not fail to keep our Native friends informed of the progress of the war.