BOERS CLOSING ROUND LADYSMITH.

Manawatu Herald, 31 October 1899, Page 2

BOERS CLOSING ROUND LADYSMITH.

Mow that the British forces in Natal have been concentrated in Ladysmith, the foe is gradually closing in upon that town from both sides.

Advices received from scouts in toe direction of Elands Laagfce, sixteen miles north-east of Lady mnith — the scene of one of last week's principal engagements — show that Boer troops are again masing in that vicinity. Tj the westward of Ladysmith, again, on the route of the railway • hat leads thence through Van Reenen's Pass to Orange Frae Staot several thousand burghers have reached Beater's, a point only five miles from the British centre.

The War Office explains that the reason the soldiers wounded at Glencoe and Elands Laagte were left, at Dundee under the care of English doctors was in order to avoid the risk of the long march involved in a journey to Ladysmith. When the burial-parties from the opposing armies came in contract on the field of Elands Laage after the battle, the Boers treated the British with great civility. Another instance of good feeling between the opposing sides is reported from Colesburg, in the xtreme north of Cape Colony, airuated on the line of railway from Capetown to the Orange Free Statp.

Here the British sentries on tb<border have supplied with provision? starving sellers within the Orange Free State boundary, and also Bo r -ettlera at Colesburg bridge, within C*pe Colony. The opposing forcesiu this vicinky are Btatc.d to be on xc llent tcrim.