THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 165, 24 July 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

BRITISH TAXPAYERS’ BURDEN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 22. The Boers havo captured seventeen South African constabulary near Petrusburg. Out of a total Orange River Colony population of 75,000, 10,000 aro prisoners, 35,000 in refugee camps, 17,000 are living in towns held by tho British, and 13,000 aro still at large. The Standard, referring to the possibilities of a Boer plebiscite being taken on the question of peace, says if tho loaders act and a plobiscito is granted, it must necessarily include the Boers now in British hands, whose verdict would undoubtedly be the preponderating one.

Three Boors wero killed at Honingspruit, and twelve wounded. Commandant Hattring was captured. Melbourne, July 23. Mr Barton states that the Imperial Govornmout has asked for no more troops for South Africa. If they did so, tho Federal Government would certainly give them, but they saw no necessity of draining Australia of any more of her sons. THE EXECUTION OF REBELS. CAPTURE OF STOCK, ARMS, AND OVLNS. ENOUGH MOUNTED FORCES. By Telegraph—Tress Association —Copyright London, July 23. Of tho doath scntonco passed on nino rebels at Graffreiuct four havo been commuted to penal servitude for life in Bermuda, and five to varying terms of imprisonment. In the House of Commons Mr Brodrick stated that twenty disloyalists alone had been ordered to attend the roeeut execution of rebels at Middloburg. Tho sentcnco was carried out in tho prison yard in private. Colonel Campbell’s and Harley's columns, marching from Wilgo rivor to ■ Standorton, captured 46,000 sheep, 5,900 cattle, 10,000 horses, 81 waggons, 18 rifles, 1330 rounds of small arms ammunition, 600 tons of forage, and many ploughs and ovens.

Lord Kitchener reports that since tho 15th 43 Boors havo been killed, 25 wounded, 195 captured, 126 have surrendered, and rounds of small arm ammunition, 162 waggons, 0600 horses, and largo quantities of othor stock havo been capiured. Mr Brodrick announced in tho Houso of Commons that although Lord Kitchener had accepted tho offers of Queenslanders to return to South Africa to fill vacancies in tho contingents ho did not ask for more mounted men. Ho was pcrfoctly satisfied with tho present number. GENERALS’ MOVEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyr'ght London, July 23. Colonel Foathcrston-Haugh’s columns have reached Klcrksdorp after slight opposition. Methuen is acting on Feathers-ton-Haugh’s right. General Bindon-Blood’s columns revisited Roosenekal district, and cleared the country northwards of the railway line. General French is in Capo Colony. He is gradually pressing hands of raidors northward. TASMANIA’S OFFER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Brisbane, July 23. The Premier has not received a reply to tho proposal to send more troops to South Africa to replace the Fifth and Sixth Contingents. There are a largo number of applications from those dosirous of going. A WAIROA TROOPER DEAD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night. Louis McKechnie, of the Fifth Contingent, died at the hospital this morning. Ho belonged to Hawke’s Bay. His parents had been with him for sovcral days.