THE BOER WAR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2476, 24 February 1881, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

London, Feb. 12. The Boers who are now in force threaten Newcastle in Natal. The advance of the Hussars, forming a portion of the reinforcements lately landed, has been stopped. Feb. 13. General Colley is isolated in his camp at Langsncck, being surrounded by the Boers. The relieving column which has been sent to the General’s assistance is being opposed by the enemy. Cape Town - , Feb. 21. The general feeling in the Cape Colony among the Dutch-African population seems to be sympathy with the Boers combined with loyalty for British rule.

The revolt in the Transvaal continues to excite earnest attention amongst colonists, and a strong feeling is manifested. Various meetings have been held, at which the state of affairs has been discussed and sundry Resolutions passed. In the Free States sympathy with the Boers is of an active nature, but it is hoped armed help will not be given to the rebels, although there is little doubt they have assisted them with money. The British Government cannot, however, count on the Free States for aid in the matter of transports. It is rumored the Boers intend marching on to Darkly, Griqualand West, but no otlicial notification his been received.

The insurgent Boers are crossing the frontier, where reinforcements of British troops are anxiously expected. The sympathy for the Boers which prevailed at .Natal, has undergone a strong revulsion, owing to reports of atrocities committed by them during the attack on Potchefstroom, and also on the 94th regiment. The “ Natal Mercury” publishes an article, which states the last spark of sympathy with the Boers has been quite obliterated, and decided acrimony has taken its place. [These reports have since been denied.] An official report from Captain Lambert, of the 21st Scots Fusiliers, shows that Captain Elliott paymaster of the 94 Eegiment, was brutully murdered by the boers. The escort of Captain Lambert had also a very narrow escape. On the 13th January a regiment of infantry irregulars, two hundred strong, left Capetown, and sixty more with forty mule drivers for the Transvaal left on the 14th inst.

According to correspondents of the “ Natal Mercury,” the Boers were forcing Englishmen, under pain of being shot instantly, to join the rebel forces.