THE WAR.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIX, Issue 2053, 30 March 1900, Page 5

THE WAR.

In Natal. IN THE BIGGBRSBERG RANGES. BOER BIG GUNS REMOVED. ENEMY STRONGLY ENTRENCHED, READY TO QUIT NEWCASTLE. LONDON, March 28 Information from Natal shows that enemie’s big guns hare been removed from Biggarsberg Hills, where Botha has been posted. Boers, however, are also reported to be massing in entrenched positions along Biggarsberg Range. Boer waggons at Newcastle are packed in readiness for retreat into Transvaal territory. Boers are reported to have destroyed shafts and machinery al Dundee colliery, Natal, and it is stated they have expressed their intention to destroy all other mines. Statement made by Daily Telegraph that 20,000 Free Staters, under De Beeres, of Harrismith are guarding 9 passes in Drakensberg mountains. Operations in Free State. BRITISH FEELING THEIR WAY. RETREATING BOERS. Oliver’s column, with 800 by forced march reached Clocolan, 18 miles North of Lady Brand. The men who were prostrated with the march rested 2 days. It is feared many have escaped British forces operating in this part of Free Sta'e. - Later. It appears on Monday last a, recon 1 naissance was made towards Brandfort, about 80 miles North <-l Bloemfontein, on tuaiu line, of railway. 16th Lancers skirmished forward and drew Boers into open, where 9th Lancers tried to i outflank them. Casualties were lew. , News from the Eastern portion df i Free State indicates that on Monday a small force under Pilcher drove in the Boer outposts at Ladybrand, and subsequently retreated iii s-ood order after capturing the laudrost. Oliver's force is reported to be now in direction oi Seuekal, North of Winburg. Daily Chronicle s.a es 400 Free Staters threaten railway communication near Jacobsdal. Clements' lorce occupied Jaggersfontein and Fauresmiih, in S.W. of Free State, unopposed, receiving cordial welcome from inhabitants. Boer Retreat Intercepted. BOER VERSION DIFFERS. Reuter’s agent stales a strong force of Boers has reoccupied Ladybrand. It is interred that its retreat upon Kroonstad has been intercepted. The Boer version of the movements of Oliver’s column is that it has joined with the forces under Grobler and Lemars and that the entire forces have effected a junction with De Wet to oppose the advance of Roberts at Winburg. Latest information shows that Grobler, with a commando of 6000 Boers from Colesberg, is posted midway between Bloemfontein and Kroonstad. Boer Commanders. Transvaalers have arrested Commandant Primsloo, who had retired to his farm. Joubert has gone to Pretoria. Promotion of a New Zealander. LONDON, March 28 Lieut. Lindsay, of first N. Z. Contingent, has received a Commission in Seventh Dragoons.