BRITISH ADVANCE IN THE TRANSVAAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 103, 18 June 1900, Page 2

BRITISH ADVANCE IN THE TRANSVAAL.

THE EERSTE FABRIEKEN ENGAGEMENT. FUBTHEB DETAILS OF THE TIGHT. Keceived 16, 9.15 a.m. London, June 15. Further details of the engagement at Eerste Fabrieken state that the enemy checked the cavalry on the flanks, but on Tuesday Generals lan Hamilton and Pole-Oarew assailed and carried the centre. The enemy then retreated to a second and stronger position, which they evacuated during the night. The action covered two days. A MAGNIFICENT ADVANCE. BOTHA'S WEAK GENERALSHIP. THE BOERS SURROUNDED. GENERAL lAN HAMILTON WOUNDED. (Received 17, 5.42 p.m.) London, June 16. An official report of the fighting at Eerste Fabrieken states that General Botha, on the 12th, did not anticipate a frontal attack. He strengthened his flanks, but left his centre weak. Lord Roberts, perceivingthis, ordered Lieut.-General lan Hamilton to attack Diamond Hill with detachments of the Sussex and Derbyshire Regiments and the City of London Volunteers. Major-General Inigo Jones, with his Guards' division supporting on the left, made a magnificent advance over difficult ground under a heavy fire. The seizure of Diamond Hill impressed the Boers, who were practically surrounded. The mounted forces followed the retreating Boers. The British casualties were under one hundred. General lan Hamilton received a contused wound in the shoulder from a shrapnel bullet. All the troops engaged, including the New South Wales and Westrnlian Mounted Infantry under Colonel Da Lisle, greatly distinguished themselves. The City volunteers lost two killed and twenty-four wounded during the two days' fighting. BADEN-POWELL'S OPERATIONS. LARGE NUMBER OF PRISONERS. (Received 17, 6 p.m.) London, June 16. Major-General Baden-Powell, who has been appointed a local Lieut.General, with a force of 800, is pacifyi ing the Morico, Lichtenburg, and Rustenburg districts. Six hundred Boers have submitted and 250 have been taken prisoners, GENERAL BULLER'S MOVEMENTS. BOERS DEMORALISED. ENEMY'S LOSS AT LAING'S NEK. (Received 17, (i p.m.) London, June 16. The Boers at Laing's Nek are massing at Eraielo and Pnavde Kop. They are very demoralised, and have only a scanty supply of food. One hundred and forty Boers wei e killed during the fighting at Laing's Nek. RETREAT OF JJOTHA. HIS REARGUARD ROUTED, Received 18,1.30 a.m. London, June 17. An official report has been received that Commandant Botha has retreated to Middleburg, His rearguard was surprised and thoroughly routed by General lan Hamilton's mounted troops, notably the Westralians. ISOLATION OF FREE STATERS. SURRENDER OF ARMS. lleceivod 18, 1.35 a.m. London, June 17. Lord Roberts, with a view to isolating the Free Staters, has ordered General Buller to Standei'ton. Another force willl be sent to Heilbron. A thousand stand of arms were freely surrendered to Lieut.-General Baden-Powell.