THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 10, 8 March 1900, Page 20

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Immediately following the defeat of the Boer forces under General Oronje came the news of the relief of Ladysmith. The Earl of Dundonald, commander of the cavalry portion of General Buller'a army, entered Ladysmith on Wednesday night of last week at the head of the Natal Carabineers and the composite regiment of British regulars — Ist Royal Dragoons, two squadrons of the 13th Lancers, and two squadrons of the Oth (Innibkilling) Dragoons. Later advices from Natal report the entrance of General Buller and the main body of his troops to Ladysmith. The garrison had been reduced to living on the flesh of the horses and mules, with an allowance of half a pound of meal per day.

The news of the relief of the town was received in New Zealand early on Friday morning, and it is needless to say that the rejoicing here was as enthusiastic as in any other part of the Empire. The siege of Lady«mith lasted for 120 days. The besieged lost 30 officers and .">l3 men killed or died by disease, 70 officers and 520 men wounded, exclusive of civilians and natives. Eight thousand soldiers passed through the hospital. The garrison suffered great privations Since the middle of January rations were reduced after each of General Buller's rebuffs. Finally the allowance was half a pound of horse flesh, half a pound of hiscuit, an ounce of sugar, and one-third of an ounce of tea daily. The garrison were pale and listless, and uiiuble to join in the pursuit of the Boers. Most of the hori-es belonging to the field batteries were converted into soup and sausages. Twelve thousand shells were thrown into the town. They did little damage, and only killed 3."> and wounded 188. There were only four days' rations in Ladysmith when it was relieved.