NEWS FROM THE CAPE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1577, 10 March 1879, Page 2

NEWS FROM THE CAPE.

[Press Special Wire.J [OWN correspondent, press? agency.] Capetown, January 27. Since my last the Christmas and New Yoar's holidays have intervened, and naturally there has been comparatively little to record with tho exception of the Zulu war, which has assumed very serious dimensions. At the date of my last letter we were expecting reinforcements from England, which have now all arrived at the scene of action. The 99th Regiment and the Ist Battalion of the 4th (King's Own), some artillery and engineers, drafts from the depots of different regiments previously in the colony, have completed the strength of the force with which Lord Chelmsford apparently considered it prudent to challenge the enemy. An uneasy fouling has, however, begun, within the last few days, to gain ground that our enemy has been hold too cheaply, and it is already clear that the Zulus are f*r more trained and warlike Umn any other Caff re tribes with which we have hitherto had to try conclusions. All preparations having beonmade on our side, Sir Bartle Frere towards the latter end of last month sent his ultimatum to Cetywajo, calling upon him to disband his army, puy a fine of 500 head of cattle and deliver up Sirago, one of lis petty chiefs, as penalties for raids committed in British territory, with other stringent conditions. Cetywayo was allowed till New Year's Day to send a reply- This period was subsequently extended to the 11th inst. No answer having then been received, Lord Chelmsford received orders to commence hostilities, and the British advance w-s made on the 12th in four columns. Tho total force, including native levies, amounted to 13,000 men. The advance into Zulu-land was comparatively unopposed, and from accounts which have reached us it was thought that the Zulu King was dispirited at the course of events, and it was further said there was a very strong and growing peace party among the Zulus themfelves. It was therefore with a terrible shock, thoroughly paralysing the whol • colony, that wo learnt by telegram on the 22nd inst. that a most serious disaster had befallen our troops, but the extent of which was for some time unknown. It now api:c.rs that the main body of G-ivn's column, under Lord Chelmsford's personal command, having crowed the river

at a plflOfl culled Rorko's Drift, continued its march, leaving the Drift guarded by five companies of the 24th Rogimmt and about 600 of the Natal Native Contingent, the whole being under the command of Lieut-Colonel Pulleine, of the 24th Kegiment. They had instructions to hold tho post until the arrival

of Durnsford's column, which had been ordered to hurry up. It also appoars that this small force had with it a large convoy of waggons, conveying baggage and ammunition. The train is stated to have been about five miles in length, though this may bo exaggerated. Evading the advanco of tho main body, a large Zulu force, said to bo the llower of Cetywayo's army, on LOe 21st foil on the convoy under Colonel Pulleine, and, though our men fought like lions, they were overwhelmed by numbers. The enemy swarmed down upon them like bees, and attacked them hand to hand with assagais. Four hundred British soldiers, with their officers, including Colonels Durnsford and Pulleine, the Governor's two aides-de-camps, Lieuts. Coghill and Hodson, and eleven other officers were killed. Captain Stafford and Lieut. Davis escaped and brought news into Maritzburgh. Soma men are supposed to have cut their way through the main body of the enemy, for Lord Chelmsford, hearing the news, retraced his steps, and by lakest accounts was encamped on the field of battle. The Zulu loss was eitimated at thousands. Nothing is known beyond the fact that there was fearful carnage on both sides. It is feared the moral effect of the disaster will be very prejudicial to British success, as inspiring the enemy with courage at the outset. Tho Zulus purchased their victory very dearly. On receipt of tho news three companies of the 4th P' in garrison at Capetown were immediately ordered to embark for Natal, and the Volunteers to take the military duties of the garrison. It was feared that if the Zulus followed up their success thoy might sweep across Natal into Pendoland, where Kroli is said to be, and by rousing the Pendos put Natal between two fires. The gravity of the situation cannot be over-estimated. It is impossible to say how the present events may affect the movements of Sir Bartle Frere, who was to have gone shortly to the Transvaal, where Colonel Lanyon is administrator, and thence to Kimberley, where he would temporarily assume the government of G-riqualand West, pending the annexation debate in the Legislative Council. |

The elections for the Cape Parliament will be shortly commenced, and a fresh registration of voters at Cape Town is now being taken, but all public interest centres in the events proceeding on the Zulu border. Trade in the colony is very dull, though the Customs returns compare favorably with the corresponding periods of previous years. The small rebellion of Korannas, on the northern border, continues in statu quo, our small force of Burghers being unable to repress it. Secocoeni has been giving trouble as usual in the Transvaal, and will agitate more now that Cotywayo has had a temporary success.

We are in three weeks' public mourning for the late Princess Alice.

Discouraging accounts of the prospects of the wool markets at home are causing much depression here, and the great fall in price will entail seriouß losses in the colony, which cannot be estimated at less than £50,000, and will possibly amount to more. The total export of wool during the past month was 4540 bales. The greater part of our wool being shipped, and accounts from home not being encouraging to wool shippers, steamers cannot obtain full cargoes, Eastern province wools not being in yet. quantities of breafotuffs imported during the past year has been unusually large. Capetown, 20,600 tons wheat, and 3880 tons flour; at Port Elizabeth, 1000 tons wheat and BCOO tons flonr; at other ports, 300 tons wheat and 2000 tons flour ; making u total of 21,900 tons wheßt, and 13,880 tons flour for the whole colony, representing a value of at least £400,000. This is the largest quantity imported into the colony during one year for the last; nineteen years. There is no doubt that that last year's harvest is the best we have had for years, but it is impossible to tell at present whether it will last for six or seven months' consumption. Cape of Good Hope Bank has been robbed of £2500. A clerk entrusted with filling boxes of 2500 bovb. each, filled one with bars of lead wrapped in a Bank towel, and decamped with the money by the German. An officer left last Tuesday by tho steamer Pretoria, but it is feared he will not catch the offender, who got a fortnight's start. Ho is a native of Scotland, and passes under the name of Roberts, but hia right name is Russell.