Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 16 April 1896, Page 2

Africa.

Further particulars are to hand of the engagement between Lieutenant Brand's detachment and the Matabele on the Suli road. Brand's column was relieved, and was proceeding to Gwanda, when a force of 1500 natives attacked the column. Desperate fighting ensued. The Matabele vainly tried to silence the Maxims, and were shot down in large numbers, losing 550 men. The impis are eating cattle and performing war dances ' within 12 miles of Buluwayo. The newspapers urge the despatch | of regular trcopa to the scene of the rising, as it is feared that Sir H. Robinson's optimism will lead to a disaster. There are 800 Marfcini-Henry rifles, and three-quarters of a million cartridges at Maf eking, and 383 LeeMetford rifles and 50,000 cartridges at Kimberley. The reinforcements are pushing on to Macloutsie. Sir Hercules Robinson is despatching 800 cavalry and 200 of the Natal Mounted Infantry, besides a number of Volunteers, against the Matabele rebels. Sir Hercules Robinson ia also raising a band of 250 Basutoa for service against the Matabele. Captain Gifford fought five battles in four days at Shiloh. Ten Maxim guns, each with 10,000 rounds of ammunition, have been purchased at Durban, and sent to the front. An explosion of dynamite in a store .near Gwelo killed over 100 natives who were pillaging the building-