THE CRISIS IN KAFFRARIA.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1203, 11 January 1878, Page 3

THE CRISIS IN KAFFRARIA.

By the 9.5. Stad Amsterdam Cape papers to the 27th November were brought to Melbourne. The " Cape Standard " reports that the position of affairs on the eastern frontier of the colony was very far from satisfactory Tn G-alekaland the work of disarming Krel;'o people was going on, but gravo £asi*3 were felt that an outbreak in Erfrjjh Kaifraria was imminent. Soon she commencement of the late two subordinate chiefs, , Mapaasa and M'Kinnon, who had previously ibeen subject to Kreli, were allowed to come into the colony with their cattle. On the concluiion of hostilities these men, who are believed to have taken an active part in i'o-

meriting the outbreak, were ordered to pay j certain fines in cattle and guns, and to return across the Kei. This order they refused to obey, and M'Kinnon marched with his armed men into the Gaika country. A small force of the police was sent to prevent their escape, and a brush took place, in which four of the Kaffirs are said to have been shot. The police did not follow up the pursuit, but subsequently 120 men and two guns were despatched from King William's Town to strengthen the garrison at Draaibosch. These movements appear to have alarmed the Gaikas, and they mustered in large numbers, and said they were quite ready and would light if the Government attacked them. Subsequently Mr Chalmers, the late Resident Magistrate of Cradock, had an interview with M'Kinnon, which terminated in a satisfactory manner. Mapassa's people are being disarmed and sent across the Kei. Experienced men admit that the position of affairs is very critical, and that it is impossible to foresee what turn events will take. With regard to Kreli, his Excellency the Governor and High Commissioner has issued a proclamation detailing the causes which led to the intervention of the Government, and offering a pardon to those Galekas who, not being chiefs or head men, submit themselves to the British magistrates.