THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 07, Issue 23, 7 June 1900, Page 20

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

It looks as if the end of the South African War was close at hand. In the early part of last week Lord Roberts arrived at the outskirts of Johannesburg without meeting with much opposition from the Boers. The enemy had withdrawn prior to his arrival. Leaving a force sufficient to occupy the great mining centre the Commander-in-Chief pushed on towards Pretoria, the seat of Government of the Transvaal, and about 36 miles distant. Here it was expected the Boers would make a determined stand, as the place was strongly fortified. The news that came on Thursday evening that Pretoria was deserted was a great surprise to most people, especially as it practically meant the end of the conflict. As a result there were great rejoicings all over the Australian colonies, and especially in New Zealand. In Dunedin the rejoicings commenced with the ringing of the Town Hall bell at six o clock on Friday morning, after which other bells, steam whistles, and bands kept matters pretty lively during the whole of the day, which was observed as a general holiday. In the evening there was a patriotic meeting, when the Mayor presided, and at which speeches were delivered by several prominent citizens, including the Rev. Father Murphy, the keynote of the addresses being thankfulness that the war was over.

Towards the end of the week Lord Robarts took formal possession of Johannesburg, but still no official news catne to hand of the taking of Pretoria. The cable messages received on Monday and Tuesday Bhowed that the information regarding the fall of Pretoria was premature, and that the Boers were determined to defend it to the last. It was stated that there were 10,000 Boers in Pretoria, and that many of the kopjes around the town were defended by the enemy.

On Wednesday morning official news came to hand that the British were in possession of Pretoria, so that any day we may hear that peace has been declared.