THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 98, 22 May 1900, Page 2

THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

A BOER GENERAL'S STATEMENT. ONE OP HIS OFFICERS TUKNS TAIL. (Received 22,1.12 a.rn) London, May 21. Commandant Deiarey telegraphed to Pretoria that he successfully engaged the relief column during the whole of Wednesday, but one of his officers withdrew in the evening without his knowledge, and left the way opan into the town.

ADVIOES MOM DELAGOA BAY. ENTIRE BOER FORCE AND GUNS CAPTURED. THE RELIEF FORCE COMMANDED BY COLONEL, MAHON. A RECORD MARCH. Received 22, 1.12 a.m.' London, May 21, Advices received from Delagoa Bay state that the British captured the entire Bjer force and guus outside Mafekingon the 17ih. It is understood that the relief column was commanded by Colonel B. Mahon, and covered 210 miles in twelve days. HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED. THE QUEEN SERENADED. (Received 22, 1,12 a.m.) London, May 21. The Queen was serenaded by a torchlight procession, headed by the Ist Life Guards Band and the Eton boys on Saturday. The Te Deum was sung as an anthem in most of the churches. The benchers of Gray's Inn invited the Federal delegates to he/ir Lord William Cecil (son of the Prime Minister) preach. Received 21, 8.25 a.m. New York, May 20. Colonel Baden-Powell's achievement is the chief theme of the American press. London, May 20. Within a few days £IO,OOO has been subscribed in the city towards the Mafeking fund. There were brilliant illuminations in the streets of London, and an endless procession crowded the streets for hours after midnight. The Queen expressed the greatest gratification and thankfulness at the relief of Mafeking. The Lord Mayor, attended by the sheriffs, was present at the Te Deum at St. Paul's yesterday. The clergy knelt at the altar, the congregation also kneeling during the singing of the service.

Members of the Stock Exchange sang " God Save the Queen" and invited the Paris Bourse to listen by means of the telephone system between the two institutions. Pakis, May 20. English visitors to the Paris Exhibition assembled and pang " God Save the Queen" when the news of the relief of Mafeking was announced. French spectators applauded the .Boers, but the police silenced both J parties, Sydney, May 21. Wednesday will be observed as a holiday throughout Australia in honour of Mafeking. The Daily Teleyraph accuses the telegraph authorities of furnishing the Government with a transcript of a press cable, enabling the Government to announce the relief of Mafeking ahead of the papers. It is not the first time important information has so leaked out. Hob art, May 21. Business throughout the,colony is at a standstill in presence of Mafeking rejoicings. Congratulatory cables have been sent. Pjjnrij, May 21. Tiw colony law pu'o uja -a weord ja

the way of jubilation. Boisterous enthusiasm prevailed long after midnight. CELEBRATIONS IN THE COLONY. Wellington, May 21. A public thanksgiving service in which the Bishop and clergy of the various denominations took part was held in the drillshed to-day, and, the weather having turned fin*, it wasj decided to have further celebrations this evening. A torchlight procession, including volunteers, bands, and friendly societies, will parade the streets, and afterwards the Hon. J. G. Ward will deliver an address prior to leaving for the South in the Rotomahana. Another display of fireworks is now going on. Though the day was partially observed as a holiday, it was too wet under foot to take much advantage of it.

It may be mentioned that it was by arrangement with the Press Association that the Government was able to so promptly distribute the news of the relief through the colony. Skeleton messages were sent out beforehand, addressed to the Mayors and chairmen of public bodies, and as soon as the first message was carried through, these were completed, and delivered. Mr. Ward has received telegrams from all over New Zealand expressing appreciation of this arrangement, which enabled the news all were so anxiously waiting for to be circulated without delay. Duhkdin, May 21. The Post Office and Telegraph Office observed a holiday to-day, and also the city schools, but beyond this the holiday proclaimed for the relief of Mafeking was not observed, the Mayor and citizens being well satisfied with Friday's demonstration and Saturday's unorganised rejoicings on the news being confirmed. Christchubch, May 21. The holiday in honour of the relief of Mafeking was generally observed today. If anything, the enthusiasm was greater even than on Saturday, and the crowd in the streets was certainly larger. The men of the Addington workshops, who were joined by the employees of a number of private firms, made a great procession, about a mile and a-half in length, parading the principal streets of the city for some time, and being everywhere greeted with deafening cheers by the thousands of persons who thronged the line of route. At the conclusion of the march speeches were delivered by the Mayor of Ohristchurch and Messrs. Russell, Collins, and Ell, M.H.R's. The procession then split up into small parties, which, headed by bands, paraded the stree's for the remainder of the afternoon. A holiday was granted the children of all schools. The streets this evoning are again thronged, several bands playing, and crowds singing " Soldiers of the Queen " and " Rule, Britannia." Reference to the relief was made in most of the churches yesterday. Great enthusiasm has been displayed in all country townships.