THE WAR.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 222038, 18 January 1900, Page 2

THE WAR.

COLONIALS DEFEAT REBELS. THEY CAPTURE FORAGE AND AMMUNITION. Capetown, January 16. Sixty New South Wales Mounted Rifles and 120 of Remington’s corps on the 12 h drove the Griqualand West rebels from Priska Drift. The British force crossed the river and chased the rebels from kopje to kopje until night, thus preventing them joining the Boer commando, and cap'uring ammunition and forage. The colonials by their free irregular -method o£ fighting completely nonplused the rebels. London, January 16. There has not been any official news from General Buffer since the 11th. Profound anxiety is felt. It is reported the Boers have evacuated Colenso and their river entrenchments. It is surmised they found themselves unable to hold such extensive lines, and feared their retreat would be cut off. It is also supposed they are either reconcentrating in a new position, or hope to crush General Duller beforo Sir C. Warren can assist. Mafeking was reported safe on the 9th. Tue bombardment has been resumed. Mr Mitchell, war correspondent of the Standaid. died at. Ladysmith from typhoid fever, while Mr Ferrand, correspondent of the Morning Post, was killed during the ussault ou Ladysmith on the 6th. A new bridge for the Tugela River is being built in England, and will be ready iti three weeks and shipped in sections. GENERAL FRENCH’S OPERATIONS. BOERS CHASED BY THE FIELD ARTILLERY. Capetown, January 16. From further particulars relative to the recent engagement between a section of General French’s troops the Boers near Rendsburg, it appears that during a blinding dust storm the Biitish camp at Slingersfontein was shelled by the enemy, who immediately reti ed to cover in the neighbouring hills. The British dragoons and field artillery pursued the retreating foe, and drove them from the vicinity and greatly damaged their camp. An English doctor was coraman-d'-ered by the Boers and attempted to desert, with the result that he. has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. General French shelled and wrecked the Co'esberg road bridge in order to embarrass the retreat of the enemy.