BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2467, 14 February 1881, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reutkb's Agency, j Tne Boer War. . A Stubborn Resistance; England't Overtures. London, Feb. 10. It is announced that instructions have been sent by the Government to Sir George Colley, Governor of Natal, that lie should ask President Brand, of the Orange Free State, to inform the Boers that if they suspend hostilities, England ■will beprepared to arrange a permanent and amicable settlement of affairs in the Transvaal.

In the House of Commons Mr Childers, replying to a question, said that Government had recently made an offer to Sir George Colley of further strong reinforcements against the Boers, and the offer had been accepted. Fresh bodies of troops would accordingly be despatched to Natal without delay. Capetown, Feb. 11. Telegrams to hand to-day from Natal, report that the forces under Sir George Colley are now completely isolated between Newcastle and Ingogo, and no communication with it is possible. Feb. 12. Latest intelligence from Natal states a detachment of recently arrived reinforcements are rapidly proceeding from Durban to the Transvaal. The advanced guard has already sighted bodies of Boers to the southward of Newcastle in Natal, and skirmishes have already taken place. The enemy is expected to offer a strong opposition to the advance of the British troops. Another Christy Massacres. Intelligence has been received that the Basutos suffered a defeat with heavy loss at the hands of the Cape forces on the sth inst. Coercive legislation. London, Feg. 10. In the House of Commons to-day the Irish Coercion Bill was under consideration in Committee. An amendment was proposed by Mr Pugh, the Liberal member for Cardiganshire, that an affidavit should be necessary to justify the arrest of suspected persons. The motion was debated at some length, but was finally rejected by the Committee. Windsor Castle In Danger. The police have received information which leads to the belief of a Fenian plot to blow up Windsor Castle. The return of Her Majesty to Windsor is consequently delayed. Caught at Dast. The marriage of Baroness Burdett Coutts with Mr Ashrnead Bartlett took place to-day.