OPERATIONS IN THE TRANSVAAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 192, 23 August 1900, Page 3

OPERATIONS IN THE TRANSVAAL.

DE WET IN DIIFIOULTIES. Received 22, 9.40 a.m. London, August 21. On Saturday, Brigadier-General Mahon engaged Commandant De Wet at Roodekopjes, on the west bank of the Crocodile River, and captured some waggons and prisoners. De Wet sjambocked the burghers to compel them to march. If Lord Roberts's order had been carried out to the letter on two occasions Commandant De Wet would have been captured. DE WET'S REAR-GUARD ATTACKED. BOERS EVACUATE MACHADORP. Received 22,10.50 p.m. London, August 22. The Standard states that the Boers 'have evacuated Machadorp. Lieut.-General Paget esgaged De Wet's rear-guard on Monday. DE WET REUNITES HIS FORCES. BADEN-POWELL AT WATERVAL. (Received 22, 10.45 p.m.) London, August 21. De Wet reunited his scattered forces and passed Heibron, some distance north-east of Crocodile River, travelling east. There are iadications he has effected a junction with Delarey. Colonel Baden-Powell has reached Waterval. REWARD FOR BRAVERY. Received 22, 9.40 a.m. London, August 21. Trooper Anfrayer, ef the New South Wales Infantry, and Trooper Cotts (? Couts), a New Zeilander, have each been awarded one of four scarves made by the Queen and given for distinguished bravery. The recipients had to be selected by their eomrades. COLONIAL CASUALTIES. Received 22, 9.38 a.m. Losdon, August 21. The following casualties at Elands River are reported : New South Wales: Privates Duff and Wardill, j killed ; Private Walker and SergeantMajer Mitchell, died of wounds; Private Ralston, severely wounded, Queensland: Lieut. J. W. Annot, killed; Privates Harther, Mosterbon, Corperal Davidson, severely wounded. Victorians: Private NortOD, died of •rounds. Casualties elsewhere : J. Paterson, a New Zealander, severely wounded at Wondersfontein; Private Blewett, a Queenslander, slightly wounded; Piivate Maxwell and Hanssn, N9W South Wales, missiog. Chbistchubch, August 22.

Mr Seddon has received a cable from Capetown in which the followingcasualties are reported: With Qene.al Hamilton's force, Trooper Pelsam, killed (this name h mutilated) acd Lieut. Bradbourne, Third Contingent, dangerously wounded in the stomach, i since dead; (357) Allwood, probably Private Aldwortb, of Rangitikei, Sicond Contingent, wounded in the shoulder,- not seriously. He has also received a correction ts the effect that is was Private BoultoD, of Nelson, not Private Bottom, of Denniston, who was dangerously wounded at Ottoshoop. * The Hon. Mr Ward announced in the House on Tuesday, night that be had received a cable from South Africa stating that Trooper Boulton, of Nelson, had been seriously wouuded. The Premier received the following cablegram from the Premier of Victoria : —" By cable message received yesterday the General of Communications informs us that the Wilcannia sailed for Melbourne on August 16cb, baviDg on board amongst others the the following New Zealanders :—Rifles, Privates (517) Wright, (430) Norris, (160) Mitchell. Please arrange for the transhipment of men belonging to New Zealand." The telegram ends " the men will be looked after on arrival here and their passages arranged for,

THE JOHANNESBURG PLOT. MATERIALS FOR A DEAMA. (Received 22, 10.20 a,m.) Sydney, August 22. The Sydney Morning Herald's "special" gives the following account of the Johannesburg plot;— The Gymkana Sports were arranged for July 15, but were abandoned owing to the discovery of the plot. A well-known hospital nurse, Miss Potts, occasionally .nursed the members of President Kruger's household; the consequence was that she was one of the few English ladies permitted to remain in the city. She became ill, and a German nurse attended her. The German nurse had an admirer, who paid her a visit, and in the course of 'confidence informed her that certain steps were being taken with the hope of restoring the city to the Boers. She in turn dropped hints tQ the patient, who promptly communicated with the head of the military police. When the lover returned the following morning to bid his sweetheart farewell be found himself in the arms of three or four of the East Lancashire Regiment, by whom the city is garrisoned. He protested that it was an illegal arrest, saying he was a loyal supporter of the British ; but papers found upon him comprised a communication from the Boer Commandant, and showed a substantial enemy, which had ventured within 14 miles of the town, and contained the names of a great number of residents, many of whom are wealthy and prominent, to whom, though foreigners, no suspicion of disloyalty attached. The idea was to create a riot at the gymkana, and shoot down the British and their supporters, Several hundred arrests have been made, mainly foreignera. who m WW confined iulihei r*2S J