Untitled

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 68, 21 November 1844, Page 2

By the ** Coolangatia'' we have received our file of the " Cape Frontier Times" to 15th August. The disputes with the Kafirs still appear as violent as ever, and to require the utmost notic; of the Government, as will appear by the following extract from a Memorial addressed by the Dutch faimers to the Governor and Legislative Counci'. •'• That, the appalling murders of unoffending colonists> has spread such terror and dismay, as to make it extremely difficult for the Frontier farmers to obtain servants to take care of their cattle ; and the fate, heartrending murder of their valued, respected, and courageous countryman, Mr. J. H. de JLange, and the wouuding of two other farmers, named W, Groblerand Hermgmes Mombaard, clearly show the danger to which the farmers are exposed in tracing or spooring sttayed cattle, even on their own property. Your memoria'ists have ever been averse to quit the land of their birth and many of them have done all in their power to stop the numerous emigrations of their countrymen : but the alarm has become so general, and the want of security so great, that unless some effectual measures are speedily adopted, many of your memorialists wil be compelled elsewhere to seek a home where they will be able to enjoy the fruits of their industry. Memorialists beg especially to call your attention to the late murder of Mr. J. H. de Lange, who Sost his life whilst tracing the spoor of stolen cattle ; or in other words, in doing that which every frontier farmer is bound to do, occording to the provisions of the Treaty, before he can claim his stolen property." And also by the reports from Griqua Land, Kats' River, and Kafir Land, the entire file of the *• Cape Frontier Times," contains little else than sickening details of outrage and murder. Griqua Land, Bth Aug., x 844. The country just at the side of this Orange River has been thrown into verv great commotion, arising from the fact of a party of the rebels having attacked a family who were favourable to British rule, under the following circumstances :—One Smit, who resides somewhere just at this side of the boundary, was acting fieldcornet during the temporary absence of Snyman, and some remarks having been made by the former relative to the conduct of those who had declared their intention to resist oil British interference, the result of which almost proved fatal, for Smit was attacked by a party of armed emigrants, who, on coming within a moderate distance of the house, very deliberately commenced pouring vollies into Smit's house, one bullet slightly wouuding Smit in the leg—another his wife in the face—and another penetrated one of the children's clothes. Smit on seeing this, was determined to sell his life as dearly as he could, and contrived to collect several guns belonging to his household, and the family returned the shots when the rebels immediately retreatedKat River, August 13, 1844. A Kafir was found lurking about some Fingoe kraal, in the neigbourhood of Buxton, on Saturday night, when he was thrown at by two[Fingoes—one assegai

eii v ered his back. He was sent into Fort Armstrong where he died on Monday night. He had no pass and belonged to the C hief Xo Xo ; his excuse for coming into the colony was, that he came to seek a petty chief's wife, 19th.—There is a report abroad to-day that there is a strong war party amongst the Kafirs, which is gaining strength daily* i If such lie the case, it is hoped that the ; authorities are alive to it, for Kafir procrastination seldom takes place without putpese. and some fears are entertained by the public lest it merely arises from a dread on their part of the inclemency of the season, and the absence of arrangements for the dreadful alternative of war. *2oib, —The rumour of a war party it Kafir land is again ri.'e; Macomo's people say—" What care for the goata ('meaning troops) ; if they want war we will not fight them, we can go to the Bashee, our cattle are gone; and if they seek peace, our blind old cows and oxen will satisfy them." The troops are in clover; the camps are strewed with and their tables are covered with plenty. One soldier writing to his comrade, says * 1 wish 1 may never see Beaufort again until I pass through it on my way home ; here, all is fatness—with you, only bare rations." Some time having elapsed since Oberholster received a message that his seed should be destroyed from the face of the earth, and finding no attempt had been made on his life, he gained such confidence and strength as to send a message of defiance, which caused a party consisting, as I am told, of twelve men to proceed armed for the ostensible purpose of destroying him, Oberholster on seeing the party coming towards his dwelling, began adding fuel to the fire, on which was placed a huge kettle, —and desired his wife to array the cups and saucers and prepare coffee, in the hope of soothing the stomachs of the supposed murderers. The party on coming to the house talked used threats of immediate destruction. Oberholster became alarmed at their determined looks, and giving himseif up as lost for ever, summoned up his resolution and said — ''there is my wife and family, support them,and here ts my breast, shoot it if you like." This speech quite staggered the assailants, who then commenced a barley, the result of which was the party very quietly sat down, and partookot a copious supply of coffee, which Oberholster was extremely facetious in pouring out, —and at n enjoying themselves on this beve« rage, saddled up their horses and rode back from whence they came, much to the delightj of Oberholster, who has since been confined to hi 9 bed from indisposition, supposed to have been caused from tua nervous shock he sustained on perceiving He first approach of the assailants. ■———l I 111 I—fllllll IMIIIMJ