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Manawatu Herald, 15 February 1900, Page 2

Latest.

THE BRITISH ARMY AT HOME. Lord Landsdowne, in the House of tads, the Hon. G. Wyndham, in

w^ai^^^^ggg^flM_____-_niMami the House of Commons, explained the next militaty scheme, wliich they declared was tentative and designed to meet the great .emergency by expedients though ultinltltely it might possibly form an integral part *M |of the permanent organisation. There were still available for Homo I defence 108,000 regulars and 882,---000 auxiliaries. It was proposed to increase the regulars by 80,000 and ! the Government hoped every | means of encouragement would bs ! ! taken to induce the auxiliaries to attain to their full establishment, thus soon bringing the number of trained men nearer 600,000 than 500,000 and this without having recourse. to?; modified conscriptionyoi'S' revival of the militia ballbt. In addition to the increase in the strength of the ...,. various departments of the regularglL an army of volunteer artillery woulof!^! be provided with modern guns and they would be invited to train three months annually. The volunteers would be armed with the best weapon more rifle ranges would be provided, and an increased capitation grant and other assistance. They, too„ would be encouraged to supply ft proportion of mounted infantry. 248?. artillery officers aod 622 officers of line would be required. The bulk of these commissions would be offered to colonists, militia students in the universities and public schools. Sir Charles Dilke, Arnold Forster and several military members delivered critical speeches. The Times regards the scheme as disappointing and says that it displays a lack of . principle and imagination. The rare opportunity has not been properly utilised. Lord Salisbury decided against the inclusion of the militia ballot in the military programme. KIMBERLEY'S DEATHRATE. Kimberley's death rate of whites is sixty and natives one hundred and thirty-eight per thousand. The infantile death rate is appalling. BRITISH WITHDRAW. The British have withdrawn from Slingersfontein (where the colonials had a warm time the other day) ter Rensberg, owing to the eastern flank being threatened by the enemy ~r<\ A BRAVE COLONIAL. Lieut. Grieve, of the Sydney Scottish regiments, who was attached to the Black Watch during the fight at Koodoosberg, repaired the breastwork of a redoubt under heavy shelling from the enemy, ment of a shell struck Lieut. Qfieve harmlessly, but one assistant waa killed and another wounded. A number of refugees passed heaps^ of Boer . dead at Koodoosberg, an<3W estimated the enemy's loss at 200. DISASTER TO N.S.W. LANCERPii The. disaster to Colonel Dowling'a force of New South Wales Lancers is believed to be due to some neglect in taking special precautions yrhen patrolling the enemy's country near • Slingersfontein. When the Boers in strong fooce made their appearance the Australians attempted to take refuge on the neighbouring hills, but found these also occupied by the enemy, so they tried to effect a retirement in skirmishing order. All accounts are certain that they did every thing they could. The enemy fired volley after volley. Of twenty-two men only six reached canlp. „' i ____ B __ - _^______________ ( ' ...•"•-"••'•ij!