LATEST FROM THE CAPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5680, 13 June 1879, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE CAPE.

(PER ACONCAGUA AN» ROTORUA.) The Rotorua brings the following additional Cape news received at Adelaide by the Orient steamer Aconcagua : Capetown, May 5. Lord Chelmsford and staff left Maritzburgh for Durban last Sunday. The Prince Imperial was to have accompanied him, but was prevented by indisposition. Heavy rains have fallen lately and will retard the firing of the grass by the Zulus. News from the Transvaal is reassuring. The Boers have quietly dispersed. Sir Battle Frere was feted in Pretoria before separating by the Boers, who agreed upon a memorial to the Queen, asking for the restoration of their independence.. Cetewayo has now changed his tactics, and is committing raids in the Utrecht district. The colonial forces have had several engagements with Coraunths on the Orange river. The enemy were dispersed, and several prisoners captured. Among them was a white man named McCarthy, supposed to be one of the rebel leaders. Colonel Wood’s cavalry were terribly cut up by the Zlobane affair, and are only able to cope with small bodies of raiders. Maguizo, Cetewayo’s brother, with twenty followers, surrendered a few days since. He says he was at Isandnla when the Zulus-de-feated the British. They were about to fly, when the British ammunition failed, and the Zulus then rushed in and overwhelmed the soldiers. The Zulus numbered 25,000, of whom 11,000 were reserves, with instructions to enter and lay waste Natal. Only the defeat of the Zulu reserve at Rorke’s Drift, he says, prevented this plan from being carried out. May 6. Spies report that Kambula is to be again attacked; consequently the camp has been strengthened. Sir Bartle Frere has no intention of resigning. Nearly every town and village in South Africa has held a meeting discussing his policy, and almost without exception heartily endorsed it. The River Tugela is falling fast. Fears are entertained of a Zulu raid in Natal when the river falls. Natal papers deem the garrison left to defend the frontier insufficient. Fort Medobs, May 7. Cetewayo has made fresh overtures for peace. His envoy went to Colonel Clarke, commanding at the fort. Lord Chelmsford asked what are to be the terms of submission, and requested somebody to be sent to explain. General Crealock despatched John Dunn for the purpose.