CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 12 December 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal.

NEAR THE MODDER RIVER

British scouts from Lord Methuen's army at Modder river have ascertained that the force of Boers, massed at Spyfontein, eleven miles to the northward towards Kimberley, number eleven thousand. They have lately been reinforced on the arrival of burghers withdrawn from the Natal frontier. The Boers are making efforts to prevent the transport of reinforcements to Lord Methuen's column along the main railway line which has only recently been repaired. Although the line is being carefully watched by patrol parties, a number of the enemy suddenly appeared yesterday at Grasspan — the scene of the recent desperate battle, ten miles north of Belmont — and destroyed a railway culvert besides cutting the telegraph wires. The enemy consisted of a commando of Free State burghers a thousand strong, with a big gun, under Commandant M. Prinsloc, who served in Natal at the outbreak of the war. As soon as the interruption in communication was discovered a body of infantry and an artillery corps with two guns supported by a regiment of cavalry were promptly" sent northward from the Orange river towards the scene of the enemy's depredations. This force affected a junction with a battery of artillery and a battalion of infanty which had been sent down from the Modder river- and after a sharp fight the commando was expelled from its position. The telegraph and and railway lines, were afterwards repaired. Fourteen of the British troops were wounded during the engagement. Four howitzers have reached Lord Methuen at Modder river. Reports have been received at Durban from Pretoria via Delagoa Bay stating that the British attack on Commandant Cronje's trooos around Spyfontein was commenced on Saturday, when the enemy were engaged at Sholtz Nek. It is believed that, in accordance with pre-arranged plans, a sortie was made simultaneously made from Kimberley by Colonel Kekewich (of the North Lancashire Regiment), who has been conducting the defensive operations during the siege. CAPE COLONY. The West Australian contingent which has been employed on night-picket-work at the Orange railway station, seventy-seven miles south of Kimberley has now been sent to join Lieut.-General Gatacre's division. Two batteries of artillery and some other reinforcements were sent at the same time. General Gatacre reports that the spread of rebellion in the northers part of Cape Colony hampers the movements of his column. General French, whose cavalry brigade is acting in conjunction with the forces undei General Gatacre, has occupied the towns of Rosmead and Cradock. The New Zealand contingent is being quickly made use of. It was deemed necessary on Friday

by General French that a strong force should be despatched near to Colesberg, the centre of a widely disaffected district, and three trains of cavalry were accordingly despatched for Arundel a town twenty-five miles to the northward of Naauwpoort and about thirty miles south of Colesbsrg.

LADYSMITH,

A official tepoft has been received from Sir George White at Ladysmith with regard to the losses suffered by the garrisdn under the enemy's bortiba'rd'm'dnt; From November ist Until the date of the report being made five officers and twenty-six men had been killed, and fifteen officers and one hundred and thirty men wounded. In anticipation of the fighting, that must ensue before the Ladysmith relieving afrrty reaches the beleaguered garrison, General Sir Redyers Buller has requisitioned the service of two thousand stretcher bearers for service at the front.

Lieut. -General White reports that dissensions exist between the TransVaaldr'9 a"rid Free 1 Staters engaged in besieging Ladysrriith j also that their supply of provisions is short. A vessel arrived at Port Elizabeth laden with 17,000 sacks of flour, intended for the Boers. The cargo was, however, seized by the British authorities:

PERILS OF A WAR CORRESPON-

. DEtfT.

Parriculars have been received of the adventures of Lady Sarah Wilson, who arrived at the Cape just after the outbreak of hostilities in order to act as correspondent for the London " Daily Mail,'*

It appears that at the outbreak of the War Lady Sarah, With the object of beginning at an important centre during the war started out for Mafeking where her husband is one of Colonei Baddn'Powell's officers.

She rode to Kurumarl, a town in Bechuanaland, about a hundred miles north-east of Kimberley, and then travelling via the Setlagote river reached the Boer lines around "Mafeking.

■ On arrival there she applied for permission to pass into the beleaguered town. This was refused, however, by the commandant, and Lady Sarah was sent to Pretoria, where she is now detained.

Commandant-General Joubert has offered to exchange Lady Sarah for a Boer lady who is held by the British at Mafeking.