MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 76, 26 March 1900, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(Received 24, 9.20 a.m.) London, March 23. Many arrests of suspected rebels have been made, and their trial is proceeding at Ladysmith. The Transvaal and Free State prisoners have been separated at Capetown owing to quarrels amongst them. Twenty thousand arsenal employees at Woolwich sang the National Anthem during the Queen's visit. In the House of Commons Mr. Chamberlain stated, with reference to Sir Alfred Milner's proclamation refusing to recognise forfeiture of property by Boers, that the proclamation covered non-payment of ordinary rents and fees for license, also war tax. The Australia, with a detachment of New South Wales Lancers on board, has arrived at Capetown. Beceived 25, 6 p.m. London, March 24..

It has been decided to include the families of colonial officers in the fund being raised for the relief of officers' families. The Duchess of York has been appointed president of the Committee to control the New Zealand portion of the fund. A sentry at Capetown shot a Boer who was attempting to escape. Committees are being formed for each colony to control the Colonial Officers' Families Relief Fund. Princess Henry of Battenberg is president of-the Australian Committee, and the Duchess of York president of the Tasmanian as well as of the New Zealand Committee.

DEATH OF TROOPER JENKS. Dunedin, March 25. His Excellency has received the following cable from Sir Alfred Milner, dated 22nd March " I regret to report that No. 53, Private J. Jenks, of the N.Z. Contingent, died of enteric fever at Rondesboch on the 21st." THE SURRENDER OF CRONJE. CONTINUATION OF LOUD ROBERTS' REPORT. (Received 23, 10.15 a.m.) Albany, March 24. Lord Roberts' despatch continues: —The dayrfollowing the cutting off of Crocje's chances it was stated that Crorije was willing to surrender, but that the young Transvaalers would not hpar of. it. Crocje's curt refusal of the offer of a safe conduct for women, childi en, and doctors does not confirm it. Parties of Boers had recently arrived fiom Natal. Two thousand of them, under Commandant Delarey, were operating on our immediate front At daybreak on Thursday they made a most dotermined attempt to break through to aid Cronje, A body of some 500 moved towards our left front and made for a kopje. Unfortunately for the Boers the kopje was occupied by a company of Scottish Borderers, who opened a heavy fire. The enemy galloped away, but moved again towards the north position with exactly the same result. They mude a third attempt to occupy a third position, and again the Bord«rers were ready to receive them. The third check thoroughly disconcerted the enemy, who then galloped oway. At last they perceived a further kopje, towards which they moved quickly. This time the kopje was unoccupied, but the Borderei s were not to be beaten; they raced the mounted enemy and won, occupying the kopje and driving off the enemy. Lord Roberts treated the enemy with great consideration. However, it was inevitable, as every kopje in the neighbourhood was so strongly held that no number of reinforcements could extricate Cronje.

Describing the final stage of fighting, the despatch says that "at 3 a.m. a most dashing advance was made by the Canadians, supported by some of the Engineers, the First Gordon Highlanders, and Second Shropshire Light Infantry. .This resulted in our gaining a point within about 80 yards of the trenches. Our men entrenched themselves and maintained the position till morning. It was a gallant deed, worthy of our colonial comrades, and j was attended with comparatively slight loss. This apparently clinched matters. At daylight a letter signed ' Cronje,' which stated that he surrendered unconditionally, was brought to our outposts under a flag of truce. The reply told Cronje that he must present himself at my camp and his force come out of the laager after laying down tlieiv arms. By 7 a.m. Cronje surrendered and asked for kind treatment at our hands. I reassured him that his requests would be complied with." j

(Received 25, G p in.) Hobakt, March 25. The Kumara's files contain interesting details of Oroi'jd's suirender. At three o'clock on the morrijng of February 2?, a rippliug fire of rifle shots broke the stillness, and droves of loose bullets patteiefl on the pUia, A

rumour which spread that Cronje's surrender was to escape tbe reports of the mausera was broken by the sound ef British volleys. Then a bugle blew "Oease Fire," and except straggling shots all was still. At dawn we learned the cause of the firing. The Canadian-1 had been endeavoring to bring theii trenches neirer tho laagers. Two companies with fixed bayonets advanced up the north bank, keeping touch in the darkness by holding hands. Following them were the men of the F. and G. Companies carrying picks and spades. When fifty yards away th< Boers opened fire. Following instruc tions the men threw themselves on tht ground, and a hail of bullets passer over their heads. The men had beet, told not to reply, and the Gordons, ii. the river, did not fire for fear of hitting the line ahead, but the from their trench, poured an eirfikdinf; fire. Under this protection the Canadians fell back. Considering the sweeping lead stoim, which searched the level ground, it is a wonder that so many reached there. When daylight came it was found that seven were killed and thirteen wounded. At daylight a rumor spread that Cronje had surrendered, which a ride in the direction of the Boer trenches confirmed. Unarmed men stood about, and white flags showed amongst the trees. The war cot res poc dents were the first who entered among the Boers, who grouped about in the trenches and eagerly greeted us, many with outstretched hands. There were a number of women and children clustered on the far bank of the river Men were wandering aimlessly to and fro, and there appeared to be no sorrow ( among the men. Thera were great questions as to where they would be sent, and as to whether they would be ( paroled. On fording the river the sight was a doleful one. The waggons bad been burned, and everywhere there , were great holes, splashed a sickly green by the exploded lyddite. Hug. 1001b shells lay unexploded on the veldt. The wounde'd lay under the , trees and hid in holes in the river r bank. Dead horses and death and I destruction wore everywhere. The [ place was a rabbit warren of trenches. ! There were signs of suffering and hardship, the men having been ordered : to every nook and cranny. Men were throwing down their arms—some re- ' luctantly, others glad of relief. After surrendering, Cronje asked for breakfast, and made a hearty meal and un- , concernedly smoked a cigar. The prisoners are best described as a rabble ' They were unkempt and ill-clad. The i BJack Watch was selected for the duty . of entering the laager, which was 1 extremely odorous. Despite the fact I that the Boers had thrown thousands . of carcases of horses aud cattle in the river, the whole place stank of putrid . flesh. The trenches ware constructed | in a marvellous manner, making it . improbable that very much damage had . been effected by the bombardment.