BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 40, 25 February 1901, Page 3

BOER WAR.

SQUTH-WEBTERN TRANSVAAL CLEARED. SEYEKE FIGHTING NEAR KLERK3DORP. BOEBS SUFFER HEAVILY, PBB PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received 23, 9.2 a.m. London, February 22, | Lerd Kitchener telegraphed from Klerkßdorp that Lird Methuen, operating in South-Western Transvaa', had cleared that part of the country, marching through Wolmaranstad to Klerksdorp,

Generals De Villers and Liebenberg, with 1400 men, obstinately held a strong position at Haartebestefontein, twenty miles west of Klerksdorp, where thay were expelled after severe fighting. The Tenth Yesmanry, Victorian Bushmen, and Royal North Lancashires rendered d'-ssinguished service. The British losses were three sfficers and 29 men wounded.

The Beers suffered severely and left eighteen dead,

DS WET IN DIFFICULTIES. APPARENTLY CORNERED. OPERATIONS AGAINST BOTHA, (Received 28, 9.T a.m.) London", February 22. The Daily Mail states tbat Commandant De Wet is depressed at having to operate in an unknown country. He is seldom in the fighting line, and Commandant Fronwan directs the fighting also the line of flight. Do Wet, who is said to be frightened, was heading on Tuesday towards Rend's Drift, intending to recrosa the Orange River. He wept at the dogg'dnees and nearness of the pursuing British. One commando was unable to cross the swollen Btak river, and turned weat. (Received 23, 9,9 a.m.)

London, February 22. Later reports state that part of De Wet's forcj has been driven into a triangle formed by the junction of the Orange and Brak rivers, which are fLo led. The horses are unable to swim it. The rains continue.

Tho Standard states that a big force, including a Naval detachment and a Volunteer Composite Regiment is operating at Vrybeid, the object of General Botha's retrrat,

KRUGER'S CONVENIENT SCRUPLES. Received 23, 9.12 a.m. London", February 22. The chocolate presented months ago by the late Queen to each soldi >r at tho f.on l ; hux <->- ly j i-fc reached MafahingJ The Daily Chronicle accuse* the South African Conciliation Committee wi h issuing pamphlets purporting to illu ta r n the liotts of l>rd Kitchiin rs ir n li.aid Louqd'ud fiom 1 it ers of Br tish officers. The Chronicle proves thero have been numerous interpobtioDS in. the letters and an omission of all facts incriminating the Boers.

Deceived 23 10.30 a.ta L in»os, February 22,

Mr Kruger has abandoned his intention t-i seek an int- ivinw with King Edward at Flushing, wlk>ii the King arrive' to visit tho Kaiser, on thu g rnn-d th't t!:e iutorvie* would iu-i tringe the S-ibbatU. In thn H use of Com mor s Mr Chamhe i;ii' , ia lejy u -i qu.s ioo, said the Attorney-General at Gape Colony, after careful consideration, decided not to presfcute Captain Cox, of the New South \v„l ■» L:u cots, for ordering the I shooting of a native at (Jolesberg in November, 1899.

DE WET'S CRUEL TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. A BRITISH OFFICER SJAMBOKED. DEPORTATION OF REFUGEES. (Received 23, 5.13 p.m.) London. Foirmry 22. A British officer captured at Zanddrif, subsequently released at Honten'kraal, declares prisontis ou the march with the utmost callousness, releasing them only when I hey dropped from exhaustion. He eaw De Wet personally sjambok a British officrwho was expostul.it ng on tho cruelty. Major -Gi-ne.al Burn-Murdoch's column, including the Natal Composite Regiment and a large convoy has traversed "Utrecht.

Five hundred Beers who took refuge in Portuguese territory at Delagoa have been conveyed by transpoats to Lisbon,

DE3ERTERS FROM DE WET. LORD KITCHENER'S PROCLAMATION BECOMING KNOWN. DE WET AWAITING HERTZQG WITH REMOUNTS. Received 24, S 19 p.m. London, February 23. Four hundred burghers have deserted De Wet. They report that Lord Kitchener's proclamation of December 20th with reference to surrendering is now reaching the commandos. Froueman with a thousand men went north, while De Wet moved towards Prieska to await Hertzsg who is bringing him a thousand remounts. Lord Methuen on the 14th captured a laager at Brakpan with 40 wagons and carts, a quantity of stock and 40 prisoners.

Amongst the number of colonials severely wounded at Wolvenhai'en on the 14th were :—J. Goldstone and H. G. Heywood, N.Z. Mounted,s.

1 A WEEKLY COST OK H-MILLIONS. ! i.liceeir.j.l 21. o.'£i |u«.) J Jjlib&m. t f < bruai'v "i'\. < In U.- '!• • ,V Comm.-'is, Hir M, k*x v.i ti,a Smcli A ft iVm j i-ij. ;:-j;.'ii J jy om- t-cvl lu VVtis

from one to one and a quarter millions weekly. Mr. St. John Brodiick said that Major-Gemral SirW. C. Colvilla wn? ■i nt h'irae by Lord Roberts for ireffiieucy in the field, but. was allowed to iwuir.e his command at Gibraltar. Lord 11 jberts was consulted afterwards and tie advised the War Office not to roam General Uolville in command.

POLICE RECRUITING POLICY. AN UNFOUNDED RUMOUR. Received 24. 5.23 p.m. London, February 23, In the House of Commons', replying to questions, Mr Chamberlain said he entirely approved of Sir A. Milner's confidentially enquiring fiom Lord ! Hop:»toun as to th.j prospects of recruiting for General Badeiv Powell's constabulary in Austra'iaand New Ze»hn<i Mr Chamberlain dotniLd the replies received from the various colonics. Lord Ciaoborne ioformod a questioner than tbe Kaiser had made n> jfl'rfr to arbitra'e between England and she Transvail,

AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES. R3oeived '25, 12.33 a.m, London, February 23. The causal i s at Hutbeesfontuti were: Victnian Bushmea— Sergt, Vaughan, Piivutfs and Hesk th, killed, Piivate Small, wounded Jarg 'roi sly; Col. N. Kelly, Lieut. Parkin and Private Lanoas'er, severely; Privates O'Shfa and Ward, slightly. >'ew South Wales Bushmen— Private Trainer, s varely, Casualties ac 11 itfoutflin : New South Wales Contingent Barrett, mortally wounded; aud Private Cements, s- ver?ly. South Australians—Captain Argus Colli#, slightly, and Piivate Rutherford, soveve'y.

CASUALTIES. Wellington, February 23. Sir. A. Milner advises the Premier that Troopers J. Ooldstone and H. 0. Heywood, both First Contingent, were severely wounded at Wolverthuilen or the 14th. Goldstone comes frem Waimate, Canterbury, and Heywood is a son of the Secretary to the Treasury. The Premier is advised that the Victorian left Capetown yesterday with Lieut. Warrenton, of Brabant's Horse, and the following New Zealandars aboard : Privates Theodore Casey, First Contingent, Auckland ; J. Townsend, First, Waikonniti; L. Horne, Becond, Blenheim ;3 *J. A. Borla s e, Hotcbkiss Battery, Port Chalmers; B. Browne, Second, Hororata; G. C. Derrett. third, Hororata ; E. C, Evans, Third, Orari Gorge; J. Anderson, third, Ruanui S'ation; Bird, Third, Westport; W. H. Spain, Fourth, Central Otigo; A. J. Baker, Fourth, Wellington ; G. G. Wilkinson, Fourth, Auckland; M. Cresn, Fourth, New Plymouth; W. R, Gibton, Fourth. Opretonui, Auckland; A. Dixcn, Fifth, Gare; N. H. Bodwing, Fifth, Welhogton; qmrter-mister Sergt. W. H. Reeves, Fifth, Belfast; Private Harold Thomson, Fifth, Rangi'ikei ; T. An-

Drews, Fifth, Ashburt-w ; J H. Logins, Fifth, Tok'imiru; and Moyes (not in official list). All trarship at Brisbane.

SEVENTH CONTINGENT. Major Ellis received 03 applications to join the Seventh Contingent. Tne following ten w:re, after mediculcxaraina'ion by Dr Muoiel.ind, selected: A J-1 Biflc, Thos; Hdilfy, Arthur P.; Hanigi oavu*, Arthur; Phillip, Thos. II ; Ku.d, W. A. ; Robinson, FieJeriok ; Sailer, Ohas.; Vcrcoe, Richard ; Morgan, A. W. In accordance with a telegram received Bugler Viator Stagpoolo will proceed with the local continuant to Wellington.