CABLE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 5, 7 January 1902, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. I —:—• I BOER WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS. PBR FUSS ASSOCIATION. , London, January 5. , Major-General Elliott captured 12 i Boera In an action witb Da Wet's rear j guard north of Reitz. While reconnoitring near Vryheid 600 Boera charged Colonel Garrett's , advancejguard, bat were i Daring December 30 British officers and 190 men were killed and 49 officers and 382 men wounded. There were . 393 deaths from accidents and disease, J and 1456 were invalided Home. , In reply to inquiry by Scbalkburper , regarding the terms "Upon which the Boers could agree to cease fighting, the Beer leaden in Europe have instructed ( him to accept only complete independ- - ence. , Piivate John Leoneidi (sic), Seventh New Zealand Mounteds, was dangerously wounded in the chest and spine at Quaggiepoort. , Received 6,11.29 p m. i London, January 6. Major-General Bundle, with tbe ( Grenadier Guards and jStaffordshires, was three miles north of Tweefontein at the time of De Wet's attack. He sent the Staffordshire* to Colonel Fir- ' man's assistance, and they were nearly ■ ambushed, but regained camp with small low. A Daily Mail representative has interviewed the Boer peace delegates in Holland, f>nd found them willing to , discuss peace if the demand for an unconditional surrender was withdrawn. Tbe fighting lead-r*, especially Free Staters, c-jnridered tha r in »he event , of a conference, the question of absolutindependence cught to be approached with an opr-n mind. They decline to negotiate with Lord Milr.er. SCOTCH GREYS IK A SKIRMISH. Received 7,1.8 a.m. London, January 6. A party of Scot* Greys had a sharp encounter at Bronkhorst's-Spruit. The Boers aUowfd the advance guard to pass, and then attacked the left flank. Six Greys were killed and thirteen wounded. After a two hours fight the Boers retired. Major-General Bruce Hamilton's column crossed the fiVd»d Vail river in pontoons, and pursued iha en».my if a thick mist and steady rain, capturing many without, firing a shot. The British were compelled to give up the pursuit, and returned to distant depots in order to reprovision and get fresh horses, otherwise they would have secured more successes. "WEARING DOWN" THE BOERS. CONCENTRATION CAMP SUPPLIES. Received 7,1.14 a.m London, January 6. The Timet Siys a cantinuous wearing down process ought to be maintained in South Africa, by keeping advance depots well supplied. More men and horses are requited, alfo light railways a'ong the line of blockhouse'. The Boers in Eastern Transvaal try to keep 25 miles ahead of the columns. The Government insists on the concentration camps being supplied with the best brand of imported fnode, and fre>h vegetablesdaily.and other ■which civilian loyalists are unable to obtain. LORD BOEERTS' DENIAL Received 7,1.20 am. London, January 6. The IfaVan *«1 Austrian military attaches in South Africa declare the outrages attributed to the British Army are nos to be credited. The Americans fully believe Lord Roberts' denial, while the French are reticent. A portion of the German Press reproduces the denial, and mm papers comment

lon is fliprantly, alludirg to Lord Roberts as white-washing the Army. NEWS OF THE SEVENTH. Wellington, January 6. The Pr mier has received the following cable from Colonel Porter, dated 3rd inst.: "Regiment was divided during December. Part is with Colonel Garrett at Newcastle, and part with me in the Durban district. The duties are mostly stationary, garrisoning posts ami pro' ecting blockhouse erection, with I occasional night marches' and counter attacks by the enemy. Regimental captures include prisoners 7, rifles 11, 900 rounds, waggons U, carts 7, saddle? 26, horses 670, cattle 430, cheep 1800, forage 160 tons. Casualties—wounded 13. The men's health is generally good. Tbe enteric season is now on, and about 30 case? are in hospital. The sick and I wounded are doing well. The regiment is to be reunited at Botha's Pass about the 10th. Great interest is sho»n at tbe coming of the Eighth, to join the Seventh, and all hope tbey will share in the end of the struggle."

In connection with the men who are to be sent to Souh Africa from New Zealand to fill vacancies in the Seventh Contingent the local Recruiting Board has selected twenty men from whom the tea allotted to this district will ba chos°n. The man are as follows :—P. Mackiy, T.< Stockwell, L. Ramsey (Midbirst); O. Hill, Geo. Templeton, W. G. Beckett, Prank Ducker, J. Wearne (New Plymouth); P. J. P. Downes, A. Simmons, D. O-impb'-11, W. Fleetwood (S-ratford);T. Vincent, W. A. Lightfoot, G. Wilson (Inalewood); W. N. Stoddart (Pungarehu); W. A, Ooombridge, H. Graham (Opunake); E. C. King (Bell Block); L. Greenway (Egmont-road). These men are requested to attend at the Guards' Club at 11 o'clock on Thursday morning. The riding tests will take place in the afternoon, and the final selection will be made on Thursday night. Tbe candidates should take note that they must provide their own horses. The picked men will leave New Plymouth for Wellington on Monday morning.

Instructions have been receivad that the men are to be chosen from the lists of those who have, already applied, therefore in order to avoid disipoint-. ment no more candidates need apply.