CABLE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 262, 6 November 1901, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

BT ELBOTBIO TBLEGRAPH—UOPY PJ^m; BOER'WAR. GENERAL ITEtfJj. / _ MB PRESS iSfjiOUXIOS. Ia&IjOS, November 4. Botha's attvJ K on Brakenslaagte opened in a banding rain storm from good cover and trenches overlooking Bampson v d improvised camp. The chief British casualties occurred whikj gathering the convoy under the b»» of a hill. TJhe British rallied splendidly, and tljfit Boers, failing to carry the position toj assault, entrenched round it with a view to sapping and preventing retreat. Benson had been co-operating with others between Bethel and Biaken*laagte. Christian Botha, the General'scoosin, and a prominent rebel, formerly in the Natal Civil Service, was captured at Volksrust. Patriots overwhelmingly spoiled the Democratic League's anti-war meeting At Peckham Rye, and handled many of those present rougnly, The Queen is sending silver-mounted tnriar pipes to the South African troops for Christmas. Mr Agquith, sneaking at Leeds, strongly repudiated Mr Morley's and BirH. Oampbell-Bannerman's suggestion that tbe Government was pursuing a war of extermination.

FIGHTING. UNDER DIFFICULTIES. CLEARING REBEL DISTRIOTS. Received 5, 10.46 pjn. London, November 5. Major-General Hamilton's column from Standerton reached Sampson with little opposition on Friday. The 'wounded have arrived at Springs. Sampson's fight was in the teeth of a blinding storm. The Boers who re moved the two British guns were a detached body. Taylor's column in the Wolvekop and Aliwal districts captured 21 Boers, including a whole family of Duplas' local rebels, 17 rifles, and 500 rjounds of ammunition. Major-General Methuen visitfld the Rustenburg district as far as Elands River. A large quantity of crops were destroyed, and eleven Boers, 700 cattle, and many waggons captured. A VWDIOTIVE COMMANDANT. BRITI3H REINFORCEMENTS. Received 6,1.1 am. London, November 5. Van Heerden's commando, near Constable, overpowered and stripped four-' teen of the Worcester District Mounteds. Van Heerden has denounced the Africander Congress for encouraging an invasion and then not giving help. He added that the invaders know that independence is hopeless, bnt are determined to make faithless encouragers feel the pinch of war. A detachment of three hundred of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Halifax, take six Maxims to South Africa. A detachment of the Bermuda regiment is relieving them.

MR JOHN MORLBY SPEAKS. A GALLANT OOLONBL'B LAST FIGHT. Received 6,1.9 ».m. London, November 5. Mr John Morley, speaking at Forfar, asked if the Boers w? re really given to understand the difference between independence ard self-government.] The Standard correspondent states that Colonel Benson, at the heed of his column, was crossing a ridge, when a few Boers were seen. A heavy thunderstorm broke, and Botha's thousand men, under cover of the r<uo, rushed the ridge, emptying their magazines at close range. Colonel Benson galloped back, restored order, end saved the position. In so doing he was wounded. Officers and men were falling fa«t, but the ridge was occupied by Sampson, who was holding the Boers at bay. BRITISH TAX-PAYER'S BURDEN. Received 6,1.14 a.in. London, November 5. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, speaking at Bristol, siid the war was dragging, and be regrettid that he might be compelled to ask for even greater taxation. He declared the Government had borrowed enormously for the war without greatly disturbing the market. Tho borrowing had caused less injury to the nation than on any previous occasion.