END OF THE WEPENER SIEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 94, 27 April 1900, Page 3

END OF THE WEPENER SIEGE.

FLIGHT OF THE ENEMY. NEW ZEALANDERS UNDER FIRE. Wellington, April 26. The Agent-General telegraphs to the Premier under date London, 25th April, that the Boers have fled from Wepener. BEFORE THE FLIGHT. (Received 26, 9.1S a.m.) Losdon, April 25. Under cover of a heavy shrapnel fire from four guns, the Boer forces engaged in besieging Wepener yesterday made a determined attempt to storm Colonel Dalgety's northern position. The garrison, consisting of the Cape Mounted Bifles and other South African troope, successfully repelled the Boer attack.

The Boers, when foiled in their determined attempt, recoiled, extending in open order across the fiats, and kept up a heavy rifle fire at long range. The fualade continued for hours.

Brigadier-General Brabant lost 25 wounded in the advance towards Wepener. Major-General Hart has issued a strenuously worded proclamation to the inhabitants of Bouxville against committing, abetting, or screening hostile acts, under pain of the severest penalities.

General Hart's brigade forms the advance portion of General Brabant's division. The latter is immediately confronted with a force of eight thousand Boers, in addition to which there are thirteen thousand Boers elsewhere in the Wepener district. The New Zealand Rough Rider?, under Major Jowsey, received their baptism of fire while making a clever flanking movement on Sunday at Bush-" man's Xop, The colonials expressed great delight at participating in the action.

The Boers are so numerous in the Wepener district that it took them two days to cross the Galedon River. ' UXKSBAL FRENCH AGAIN TO THE KOBE. k ——— KKi THE BRITISH LOSSES. Received 27, 1 a.m. London, April 26. j General French, in pursuance of Lord Roberta's instructions to sit astride the enemy's line of retreat, crossed the Modder at Yalsbank. The Boers meanwhile becoming alarmed quitted Dewetsdorp, and Major-General Chermside occupied the town unopposed. The Boers round Wepener, numbering 4500, fled to Ladybrand Road, to the north eastward, with their ox waggons, General French racing to intercept them.

Brabant's advance to Wepener was unopposed.

Golonel Dalgety's total losses were 33 killed and 132 wounded.