TO THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 21, 26 January 1900, Page 2

TO THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.

GENERAL BULLER ADVISES THE WAR OFFICE. JUDGE STEYN IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE DOERS. GENERAL WARREN RECEIVES A CHECK.

A RESPITE FOR THE BOERS. [Bx Electric Tblbobaph.—Oopibioht.] 1 [PER PRKB3 ABSOOIATIOH.] (Kecsived 25, 9.15 a.m.) London, January 24. The War Office has received the following cable from Sir Redvers Buller dated the ovening of January 23rd:— " Sir Charles Warren is in the same position as at the time of the last despatch. " The enemy is in front of him at a distance of 1400 yards. " The Boers are to the west of Spionkop and occupy a higher level than Sir Charles Warren and approachable only by bare open (slopes. " The ridges occupied by Sir Charles Warren are too steep to allow of the guDS being taken up, but the howitzers and field artillery on a lower level are shelling the enemy from behind the infantry. "We have advantage of position, for our guns search the Boer trenches, while the enemy's artillery does not occasion much loss. " An attempt will be made to-night to seize Spionkop, which forms the enemy's left, facing Trichard's Drift, and divides it from the position facing Potgieter's Drift. "Spionkop is a considerable hill, whence we could command all the ' enemy's entrenchments. " The Boers admit their losses on 1 Saturday and Sunday were heavier > than at the Battle of Colenso." 1 Durban, January 24. Commandants Pretorius, Botha, and

Cronje were engaged in the late fighting, while Steyn was under fire in the foremost Boer ranks, A slight cheok received by Sir Charles Warren in an attempt to turn the Boer position has enabled the enemy to bring men, guns, and supplies | to their main position, and to complete their entrenchments at Spionkop. The British have established an im-l mense commissariat depot at Wagonford, north of the Tugela River. The heat at Tugela is frightful. A shell struck a balloon used in connection -with General Lyttelton's force, and the balloon closed automatically.