THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 December 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT*]

London, Dec 14. Hon. Cecil Rhodes has suggested to Sir A. Milner a scheme for settling 4000 military colonists in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. He proposes irrigation of farms with communal grazing, at « cost of three millions, with an annual allowance of £SO each; also the expenditure of eight millions in settling two thousand Yeoman on the best pastoral runs. The Transvaal, to be made responsible for the cost. Lieut J. R. Forster (Second N.S. Wales Mounted) waa killed at Bethel. John Meyer, of Oudtshorn, was sentenced to 2 years and fined £SOO for informing the enemy of the approach of a patrol and causing an ambush to bo formed, wherein 4 were killed and o wounded.

After a long detour, General Bruce Hamilton’s wing urfder Williams, stirprised at dawn on the 13th lies > elmen’s lagaar at Wikranes and killed IG, captured 70, 17 wagons, 4,000 cattle and Benson’s lost gun which was used upon the retreating Boers. The remaining gun had been previously broken by the enemy. Many of the Boers were ridden down in the open. Two half companies of the Second Munster Fusiliers have sailed from Bombay. The Government congratulated the military on th© victories at Ermelo, Trichardsfontein and Witkrans. The South Australian Agent-General suggested that Chamberlain should remove the Boer concentration camps to the coast so as to enable Australia to supply food stuffs. Mr Chamberlain telegraphed to the Generals commanding in the Cape and Natal that he favored using British products for British requirements whenever possible. Sohoemann junior, the member for Oudtshorn in Capo Parliament, was recently found guilty of traitorous conduct and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined £SOO. (PBB PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Dec 16, The Premier and the Minister of Customs returned from Marlborough on Saturday morning. In regard to the mobilisation of the Eighth Contingent, it is unlikely that a camp will be formed till the holidays are over but theJDefence Department will push forward its preparations in the meantime. Betarned New Zealanders. Wellington, Dec 14. A number of men who had been on active service in South Africa and had lately returned were entertained at luncheon to-day by the members of the Ministry. The Premier, who was present, referred briefly to the despatch of the Eighth Contingent, saying that his greatest trouble no doubt is in dealing with two or three thousand applicants for enrolment, who would present themselves. Speaking with regard to the case of Private Tasker, of Wellington, who was sentenced to imprisonment in an English gaol for sleeping at his post, Mr Seddon said that as assertions had been made concerning the treatment of this offender on the passage from the Cape to England, Government had asked for the fullest information that referred to the case, and though he had called attention to the alleged severity excercised towards the man on the voyage, asking for a reconsideration of the case, the War Office seemed to consider it out of place to do anything in the matter. He thought it would be just as well for the War Office to clearly understand that they must not snub the colonies. Ho hoped, however, that things would be altered and Lord Roberts brought into closer touch with the people. He thought that if the Colonial troops had been given a free hand there would now have been a different tale to tell about the war. Eight Contingent Proposals. (Special to “Stab.”) Dunedin This Day. Captain Bussell wires to the Editor of the “Star” “I have been on Berch run, which is out of the reach of telegraphs. I approve of sending another contingent to South Africa if the Imperial authorities express a desire for further Colonial troops.

Mr Hogg says that he is unable to approval of the proposal, believing that further encouragement of the Bight Hon. Mr Chamberlain’s unwise policy will only prolono a struggle fraught with serious danger and sacrifices.

The Premier has received intimation that the Imperial Goverment highly appreciates the splendid offer by New Zealand, which has been communicated to the Secretary of State for War,