THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 122, 3 June 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

the PLIGHT OF BOSHOF.

GARRISON ON HALF RATIONS FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS,

FATE OF TWO MORE NEW ZEALANDERS.

CAPTURED GUNS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Juno 1. j Tho Boors had invosted Bosliof for four months. Tho garrison had been on half rations for the last two months. Four British officers wero killed at Blakfontoin on Wednesday. Herbert Williams has died of enterio fever at Springfontoin, and E. Hunt is missing from Bethel. Both belong to tho New Zoaland Mountods..

Lord Kitchoner permitted tho Fourth and Fifth Contingents to toko to Now Zealand tho captured guns and pompoms.

A STARTLING PROPOSAL.

TO SUSPEND THE CONSTITUTION.

REVERTING TO A CROWN COLONY.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

London, Juno 1. A petition from the midland districts of Capo Colony, signed chiefly by loyalists, also by many Dutch, including J. Hondrick Smith, member of tho Afrikander Bond, and representative of Grnffronif in tho Cape Parliament, assures Governor Sir W. F. Hutchinson that tho main ideal of tho disaffoctcd inhabitants has boon destroyed, but tho mendacity of tho Boor character foreshadows a continuance of tho bitternoss against tho British unloss responsible Government in tho colony is temporarily abrogated. The suspension of tho constitution of Canada during tho Fenian troublo is cited. Tho potition adds that tho final settlement ought to bo loft to tho Imperial Government alono, lest tho former vacillating policy bo repeated. Tho Standard, commenting on the potition, says that it is difficult to conduct the business of tho colony offectivoly with tho narrow majority, but thore arc strong ~ countor arguments to tho proposal of our frionds as being impracticable. Sir W. F. Hutchinson may bo trusted to recommend nothing hastily, and to avoid drastic treatment of a dolicato matter.

IN REFUGEE CAMP—2O,OOO BO BUS AND 12,000 NATIVES.

DUTCH CONSUL WAITING FOR BOTHA.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

London, Juno 1. There aro twenty thousand Boors and twelve thousand native refugoos in tho camps established by tho British in Natal and Orango River Colony. Reuter’s correspondent states that the Dutch Consul at Pretoria has boon for days at Standerton awaiting a visit from Botha or his delegates.

GREAT FIRES ON THE VELDT.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrigb j London, May 31.

Great veldt fires have brokon out between the Vaal river and Bloemfontein.

Thoy aro hampering tho movements of the Boors.

Delarey’s commando attacked Colonol Nixon’s column at Vlokfontoin, twonty miles south of Hoidolberg, and was repulsed aftor heavy fighting. Tho attackers left 35 dead on tho field. Tho British casualties were 174.

Colonel Beatson’s column of Victorians, operating on tho Delagoa railway, completely dispersed Trichardt’s commando, seven hundred strong.

Sir Edward Grey, M.P. for Berwick, addressing his constituents, said that if Lord Milner was recalled from South Africa both races would mistrust his successor. Lord Milner must roturn to whero at least ho enjoyed tho confidence of tho joyalist party. The strengthening of that position, coupled with forbearance, would ultimately win tho confidence of the Boers themselves.