CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 21 November 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal.

ADVANCE ON ESTCOURT,

The Boers have moved southward again nearer to Estcourt with the object of cutting the railway line. The British forces at Estcourt are short of artillery. MAFEKING. . The brilliant night attack made by Mafeking garrison on the beseiging commandoes completely surprised the enemy. Many of them were bayoneted while under their tarpaulins — or sleeping covers — shrieking for mercy. Colonel Baden- Powell's night attack was conducted by sixty-five men. Commandant Botha asserts that he thought the attacking British force was a thousand strong. KIMBERLEY. A British column is now marching to the relief of Kimberley, where Lieu-tenant-Colonel Kekewich and a force of three thousand men are besieged by Commandant Cronje. LADYSMITH.

A serious engagement appears to have taken place at Ladysmith on the 16th instant.

Early in the morning a heavy rifle fire was heard in the direction of the invested town, followed by an explosion — possibly a heavy discharge ot lyddite shells or mines from the British side.

In connection with the explosion heard in the direction of Ladysmith on Friday, it is explained by the Boers that the report arose from the blowing up of the Bulwer bridge, which crosses the Tugela river at Colenso and connects the southern and northorn portions of Natal. By the destruction of this bridge the garrison at Ladysmith has been completely isolated. The relief column under Major-General Hilyard will, when it moves northward, have to cross the river — at this period of the -year a swiftly-running torrent — by other' means.

On the 13th lost, word was received from Sir George White, who is in command of the British troops at Ladysmith, that all was well.

On the 15th a runner — or native courier — was sent southwards by Sir George bringing information that on the previous day the enemy had attempted to make a closer investment of the town and get to closer quarters.

This manoeuvre was, however, repulsed by the garrison, the Boers being considerably punished. The troops under siege were buoyant in spirit when the runner left.

ESTCOURT. A force of Natal cavalry repulsed an attack by three hundred Boers eight miles from Estcourt, killing several of them.

General Buller has complimented the colonial forces of Natal upon the work done in the encounters with the Boers.

A force of two thousand Boers, with six seven-pounders and two La Cruezot quick-firing Cannon, is now posted at Ennersdale, — on the main line only eight miles north of Estcourt where Major-General H. T. J. Hilyard is in charge of ten thousand Imperial troops. The enemy apparently contemplate offering a determined resistance to the advance of Major-General Hilyard's Column to the relief of Ladysmith. It is understood that this commando will be reinforced by a large force from the army now investing Sir George White's position. Another commando has ilso crossed the Tugela river, lower down than Colenso, and passing south has occupied the township of Weenan, an important post to the westward of Ennersdale, and fifty-five miles northwest of Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Natal.

A detachment of Transvaalers who have taken up a position at Ennersdale made a movement still further south on Saturday, and made an attempt to rush Major-General Hilyard's position at Estcourt. One shot from a naval gun, however and several long range volleys by the Dublin Fusiliers checked the advance, and scattered the enemy.

NEAR COLENSO. General Sir Redvers Buller, Com-mander-in-Chief of the British forces in South Africa, reports that one hundred men are missing in connection with the armoured train disaster at Chievley station, near Colenso. The gallantry and resourcefulness displayed by Mr Churchill the war correspondent of the " Morning Post," who twice risked his life during the fight, is highly praised. KIMBERLEY. The Boers who have lately been reported to be in the vicinity of Belmont fifty-six miles south of Kimberley, have retired to the Modder river, twenty-four miles south of the diamond-mining centre. Before' abandoning Belmont -they looted the the town and neighbourhood. The column under Colonel the Hon. G. H. Gough, Chief-of- Staff to Lieu-tenant-General Sir F. W. ForestierWalker, Commander of the British force in Cape Colony, which lately was in action with the Free State Boers at Belmont, is now steadily nearing Kimberley. It is now a strong force, and at latest reports, dated the ioth instant, had arrived within fifty miles of the beleaguered town. News from Kimberley states that the Boers in making an attack on the Ottos Kopje mine were repulsed with great loss. Colonel Gough's relief column is advancing on Kimberley by the railway route. A second flanking column is >eing despatched to operate within the Free State border in the . direction of Bloemfontein.

GENERAL JOUBERT. Reports received in London from Pretoria go to show that the rumours of General Joubert's death was without foundation. The Boer leader had only been ill. He is now Jjetter.

BRITISH HOSTAGES.

An official communication has been received from Mr F. W. Re!' ?, State Secretary in the Transvaal Executive, threatening the lives of six of the British officers whom the Boers now hold as prisoners at Pretoria. Lately a Boer detective named Nathan Marks was found in Lady.smithand arrested as a spy.

Mr Reitz's threat is that if Marks is harmed in any way the six British officers in question will be put to death in revenge.

The letter has aroused a thrill of horror to run through the whole community of Capetown. Even Afrikander residents who are in sympathy with the Boer cause, have expressed their detestation at the shocking alternative held out to the authorities. CAPTIVES AT PRETORIA. The British military prisoners of all ranks now in the custo Jy of the Transvaal Government at Pretoria number 1338. 'DUTCH REBELS. Since the Boers took possession of the town of Pomeroy, situated some thirty miles eastward of Ladysmith, a number of Dutchmen settled in Natal have joined their cause. These rebels against the British Power assisted the invaders in looting the town, and have sworn allegiance to the Transvaal Government. The farmers loyal to the British Government purpose raising guerilla troops with the view of retaliating upon their revolutionary neighbours. RELIEF FUNDS.

The shilling war fund that is being raised by the " Daily Telegraph" now amountsto £45,000. The sale of a special poem written by Mr Rudyard Kipling by the " Daily' Mail" proprietary raised £10,000 towards the general war fund.

Collections in aid of the funds are being made throughout the Kingdom in churches, chapels, schools, banks. . Theatrical performances are als? being given in aid of the fund, which is being contributed to by many workmen's organisations.