THE DISTURBANCES AT THE CAPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5240, 9 January 1878, Page 3

THE DISTURBANCES AT THE CAPE.

(From the Home News, Dec. 15.) Already the prompt and vigorous action of the authorities in coping with the insurgent Caffres has been followed by the happiest results. There has been more fighting at the front, in which our small forces proved entirely successful. Commandant Griffiths, with some police, Eingoes, and Bowker’s Rovers, has surprised and captured Kreel’s headquarters, destroying his kraals, and carrying off a quantity of loot. Kreli himself, covered by his best warriors, escaped to the mountains, hut he has been deposed by proclamation from his authority, and his territory confiscated to the British Crown. Although not yet called upon to take the field, large numbers pf volunteers have freely offered themselves for service, with a ready patriotism deserving of the highest praise. Twelve hundred Europeans occupy the Transkei, garrison the frontier, and are especially employed in overawing other disaffected or doubtful tribes, upon whom this unanimity of feeling on the part of the colonists, together with the successes gained in the open field, have produced a marked effect. One powerful tribe within the colonial boundary which had been closely watched, and which it was feared would throw in their lot with Kreli and the Calekas, should the tide set against our arms, is profuse uow in its expressions of loyalty and its desire for peace, while the chief next in rank to Kreli himself has seceded from the Galeka tribe and entered our territory seeking British protection for his family and his herds. There may be yet some trouble in bringing Kreli to terms, but the apprehension that the first small cloud of disturbance would expand into one of Eugiaud’s irksome and disproportionately costly “ little wars,” is now presumably allayed.