OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 100, 8 June 1900, Page 3

OCCUPATION OF PRETORIA.

OFFICIAL REPORT FROM LORD ROBERTS. THE TOWN UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDERED. VBOW KRUGER REMAINS BEHIND.

(Received 7, 10.5 a m.) London, June 6. A force of twenty-five thousand British are hemmed in in Pretoria. Lord Roberts, in am official telegram on Tuesday, states; —"Just before Monday the enemy were driven from most of their positions. Hamilton's Mounted Infantry followed the Boer forces within two thousand yards of Pretoria, through which the litter re ► treated hastily. De L'sle, commanding the second corps of the Colonial Brigade, sent ac officer to demand the surrender of the town io my name. Botha's messengers towards midnight awokt me with a letter, in which he proposed an-jtimistice for the purpose of settling terms. I replied that I would gladly meet Botha in the morning, but would not discuss any terms, as surrender must be unconditional. I asked for a reply by daybreak, as my troops were ordered to march at daylight. Botha replied that he had decided not to defend the town. He trusted that the women and children and property in the town would be protected. Ojr troops advanced next morning, and during the march three principil Boer official?, carrying a fl <g of truce, brought aa intimation that Pretoria surrendered i unconditionally. A time of entry was then arranged. Mesdames Kruger and Botha, wives of the Boer President and Commander-in-Chief, bave remained in Pretoria. Some British prisoners have been removed, but the majority are still at Watervaal outside the town. One hundred British officers who had been prisoners are now in Pretoria. Those I have seen are looking well."

enthusiastic reception of lord ROBERTS. Received 7,1 p.m. London, June 6. Lord Roberts cables that the occupation was most satisfactory, and much more enthusiastically received than he expected. LORD SALISBURY CONGRATULATES LORD ROBERTS. FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE SURRENDER. BOERS RETIRE IN GOOD ORDER. AND SWEAR THEY WILL STRUGGLE TO THE BITTER END. (Received 8, 1.50 a.m.) London, June 7. The Marquis of Salisbury has cabled to Loid Roberts:—"l earnestly congratulate you on this crowning result of your strategy and the devotion of the gallant soldieis." The Queen exprestes gratification at the occupation et Pretoria. The British shel s damaged forts at Pretoria. The Krupps alone answered, and when the Howitzer shells roired overhead and dropped in the suburbs 1 Pretoria capitulated. Commandants Botha's and Dekrey's men retired sullenly, but in good order, in the direction of Lydenbui g. Thousands of them took an oath to struggle to the bitter end.

'IHE DUKE OS' NORFOLK MEETS I WITH AN ACCIDKNI'. 1 (Received 8, 1.40 a.ir,.) Lonbox, June 7. Duiing the operations m front of Pretoria, the Duke of Norfolk, who is at the front, had his n'ghs hip dislocated thr J"gh his horee falling. He |rvgr«jaing favourably, !