LATEST TELEGRAPHIC

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 95, 27 February 1879, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAPHIC

—- 1 " ■ I (PER.PRESS AGENCY.) Cape Town, Feb. 4. TEE BRITISH FORCES. The British forces are acting on the defensive, but Zulus are not attacking. 1 Pearson's British column is entrenched at Eltowe. The Commander-in-Chief and 1 staff are going to join him there. The Natal contingent was to be disbanded on the 20th,

llokitika, Wednesday. THE ZULU DISASTER. The following fuller account of the Zulu disaster is to hand per Claud Hamilton. It appeared Lord Chelmsford desired to advance to Zulu, seemingly with the intention of pushing on to attack Celawa/.0, near Kavaal; but fearing to leave his line of communication with Natal unprotected, ho ordered several companies of the 24th regiment, under Colonel Ballantine, to remain a few miles on tho Zulu side of York's Drift, To'strengthen this force Colonel Dimifovd was directed to join Colonel Ballantine, who was senior officer, and whose force now numbered 4,000

men. Oil Wednesday morning tliey were attacked by 15,000 Zulus. The assault proved successful, though beaten off several times. Numbers and discipline carried the day, and the Natal contingents, hastily organized and'officered as we have described, had to submit to defeat at the hands of the well-disciplined forces of the Zulu King. Our native troops arc reported to have fought with a bravery that called forth praise from the Europeans, but were crushed by tlio massive columns of the Zulu regiments, and broke into disorder. The men of the 24th upheld, the honor of tiro English name, and were true to the traditions of their corps, whose colors bear many of the names of the most famous battles in modern British history. The gallant 24th had to chose between death and dishonor, and, as the story reaches us, almost to a mail gave their lives rather than turn a back on the enemy. On Wednesday Ustsomo hundreds of British soldiers woro shot down by a foe twenty times their number. While we deplore the loss of these gallant men, we feel proud of thein and their native comniande'S. Colonel Durnsfoid's column was utterly destroyed ; some of them fell into the Natal,.while others tried to cut their way through the Zulus to join Col. Glynne, and its stores and arms were taken by the enemy, who pursued the fugitives to to the Buffalo river. The attack made on Colonel Glynne's column did

not end so well for the Zulus. This column consisted of 1,800 Europeans with 2,000 natives againsthim. It is reported assaults were made by some of the bravest warriors in the Zulu land on regiments who, till then, had been the dread of their native neighbors. Lord Chelmsford at this point is said to have been eminently successful, but the particulars are not to hand, It is certain the General had to

retreat to Yorke's Drift, leaving the country on the Zulu side in possession of the enemy. Prom Oolonol Wood wo have heard nothing. The Zulus appear not to have placed their principal forcas near the boundrries of Natal. London, Feb. 23. ARMY ESTIMATES. The British army estimates amount to £13,025,000 beingadecrease of £2,150,250. ■ Melbourne, Tuesday, ENGLISH CRICKETERS. In the cricket match yesterday, the English in their second innings scored 171°; Victorians, second innings, 178, with loss of seven wickets. Wellington, Wednesday. THE WOOL TRADE. New Zealand Loan Mercantile Agency report under date: London, 19th Feb, Tho wool sales opened yesterday at the level of last sales, and will comprise about 250,000 bales; 20,000 have been sent to the manufacturing districts direct. The opening catalogue continued 9,000. Continental demand is good, hut home trade is purchasing sparingly. Superior greasy is firmer; cross breds easier. Trade in manufacturing districts is unchanged. Sales close 17th<-March. A TALE OF THE SEA.

Arrived—Estella, barque, 120 days from Glasgow. No passengers; full cargo. Aberdeen, from New York, 150 days out. Captain Fulford. The voyage was prolonged by storms and calms for a period of forty days. Only made 100 miles on 7th October, after having experience. Two 3ieavy cyclones, fell in with Brig Ida fulton, Captain Veil from Halifax to Cuba,-with cargo of coal, which, vessel was in a sinking condition. Took oft the captain and nine men, and transferred half of tliem to British Brig, Saladin of Prince Edward laland, bound to Pcrnambuco, the other half were transferred to the Barque Malcolm of London bound to Barbardes. She brings a full cargo, and is consigned to Messrs Bannaytino & Co. Napier, Tuesday. INCENDIARISM.

A two-roomed house, with its contents, all uninsured, was burnt down at Taradiilc this morning under very suspicious circumstances, The titlo to the land on which the houso was orected is disputed, and two brothers named AVhaling held it by forco of arms a fortnight ago. _ Tlio matter was brought before the Resident Magistrate to-day, who decided that the dispute being one of title to land he had no jurisdiction. The occupier, Hawker, had just left his home this morning to attend the Court when the fire occurred; CbristohubcHj Tuesday, PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY,

The Auckland members of the Presbyterian General Assembly have not yet arrived. A commit'teo was appointed tonight to wait upon the Government in reference to the granting of a site for a new church and a manse at Pokeno, in the North Island. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church opened it's session last night, Tho Itev. Mr Sidey, of Napior, to appointed Moderator,

. CHESS CONGRESS/ ) Ikvebcaegill, Tuosday. J Between £7O and £BO have been sub- c Bcribed to defray the expenses of the New t Zealand chess congress. ' 1 HIGH PRICES. j A quarter-acre' section in Tory-street, , next to Messrs Price and Bulbes', was ' sold to-day by Todd, the auctioneer, for ~ £2,000/ ! Blknhfim, Tuesday, ! MARLBOROUGH RACES. : Tho Marlborough settling day was a satisfactory meeting. The liabilities outside the stakes amounted to £l2B, the receipts to £578. Tho sum paid in stakes was £4O7 —Mclvor, £155 ; O. Redwood, £IOB ; Yallance, £l3O ; Stevenson, £26; A. Ward, £22105; Cochrane, £3; Dillon, £3, After payment of all expenses, the balance in hand was £4l, Auckland, Tuesday. A GIRL IN TROUBLE. A girl named Annie Rodell has been arrested on a charge of stealing a silver goblet, writing-desk, and other articles from a boarding-house, HIGHER EDUCATION. The Commissioner of Higher Education loft to-night by the Piotorua. They hold their next sitting in Wellington. THE GREAT NATIVE MEETING. Alexandra, Tuesday. It is most probable Hint the great native meeting with Sir G. Grey and the native Minister will not take place at Kapua, as expected, as Te Ngakau, who has taken a principal share in tho work of collecting fish and other food necessary for the i number expected, insists on having the . meeting where the food now is, at Hikurangi. He says it is easier for people to j walk to food than for him to bring it down , to Kopua, whero there is no house accomi modation or firewood He will likely i have his own way, as another argument ■ of his is that too many Europeans would i force their way to a place so near to i European settlements, and cause trouble, i Melbourne, Wednesday, ' • Sydney, Wednesday.

GUBERNATORIAL. The Sydney Executive Commissioners have invited Ministry to meet Governor Robinson at farewell banquet on the Ist of March. MORE GUBERNATORIAL. The Ringarooma with Marquis of Normanby arrived at Hobarton last night, She is expected at Melbourne Heads tomorrow morning. Wellisgtox, Wednesday. THE UNLUCKIE APPOINTMENT. The "Chronicle" to-night says tluw there is undoubted spite in Cabinet re Luckie'a appointment to Annuities Office, which threatens the withdrawal from the Ministry of Stout and Ballancc, and possibly Macandrew, if Grey maintains his present attitude of opposition to the said appointment.