BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 32, 7 February 1902, Page 3

BOER WAR.

GENERAL ITEMS. London, February 5. The British Government grantee £12,000 for accident to Italian unde airables who were deported from Soutr Africa. The amount covers 120 claimi The Independence Beige is publiehinj Conan Doyl-'s pamphht on the cause and conduct of the war, iebuttin» calumnies on British troops, but sayi it is impossible to find the publishers o them in Germany and Holland. Primer, a late pastor at the Irem camp, protests against the wild inde eent charges as destroying the charac ter of modest Afrikander girl* in ordei to serve lying tongues and unacrupu lons pens. An intercepted letter shows thai Botha has directed south a number ul Boer women into the British Ikes. CAPTURE OF DE WET'S LAST POMPOM. London, February 5. It is officially announced that Colonel Byiig after a night march defeated Wesstll's large force near Lietenberg Vlei, recapturing Firman's fifteen pouDder and pompoms, and capturing De Wet's laet pjmpooj. Five Boers were killed, six wounded, and 26 captured. France and Russia confidentially approved of Van Kuyper'a note, but all the Powers resolved to observe a strict neutrality. King Edward has accepted an offer of six battalions of militia to serve abroad. BOER •• DELEGATES " ON THEIR DIUNITY. Beorived 7,0.48 a.m. London, February 6. . The Boer delegates angrily contest Lord Lansdowne's assertion that they have no voice in the Boer councils, alleging that Britain is aware the leaders in the field c nsulted tbem by cable in June last. Th«-y i-ay L , aiu is stiH trying to exterminate the Boers, wrecking evfry effort to bring about peace. The terms of Britain's reply rendered it impossible for the dele-, gates to apply for safe conduct, or anything else. J

THE ATTAOK ON WBBBBLB. VABIOUB OPERATIONS. Received 1, 0.55 a.m. London, Februarys. Colonel Byng specially mentions for gallantry New Zealandsrs in the South African Light Horse in the attack on Westels' forces. The killed include Cornet W<s-:e]g, and ameng the prisoners is Captain Muller, of the Staats Artillery. JWany cattle were capturad. Byng's casualties were slight. The National Scouts captured thirneen Boan> at Middleburg, and Major General Plumer seven at Amerspoort. Colonel Gilbert Hamilton, after a long pursuit, drove the Boers from the blockhouse line, capturing thirty-two. BOER PBIBONKRB FOR THE CHATHAMB. i • _: Chbjbtohubch, February 6. All adjourned meeting of members of Parliament and ethers interested was held w the question of using the Chatham Islands as a depot for Boer prisoners. Hon. Major Steward was in the chair. A letter signed by 26 settlers was read expressing a favourable feeling towards receiving Beers, and a similar letter was received from other parts of the islands. In discussion it was stated that 10,000 acres were under offer to the New Zealand Government, which at present owned only 18 ams at the Chatham Islands, cipable cf producing abundant food, and only tea, sugar, and other stores required to be imported. Wood was also required, and barracks would have to be built. One speaker said there was room for 3000 prisoners, but others reckoned on a basis of 1000, and said it was necessary to k-ep 500 men and others to act as guard, betides a man-of-war on the adjacent coast. Major Steward, Mr G. Laureoson, Ms.H.R, and Messrs Chudleigb and Arban were appointed to wait on the Premier during his visit to Cbristchurcb, and bring the matter before him.

BKTDBNBD TKOOPEBB. Wblunqtok, February 6. The following New Zealand troopers returned by tbe Talune thin morning : Uorporals Pointon (Napier), A. White (Auckland), Farrier-Sergeant Kyan (Auckland), Troopers Ewart (Owatea), Tait (Auckland), J. G. White (Auckland), Del.ney (Wellington), Buckingham (Wellington), Geriden (Waimate), Birnrs ham (Wellington), Harley (Opotiki), McKenzie (Dunedin), Mitchell (Pleaemt Point), Mooie (Auckland), buek (Wanganui), J: Richards (Auckland), Stykes (Wellington), Young (Masterton), all of the Sixth and .Seventh Contingents; also Trooper Ferris (Christchurch), of the South African Light Horse. EHE NINTH CONTINGENT. Wanganot, February 6. The final selection of tho W'unganui quota of 25 was made last evening. There were 310 Applications. Tfcr men selected are a leaijy good lot, and • qnal to any sent from hive, and includ five returned contingentsrs, 12 mounted troopers, and six infantry vnlu tcrsJ They leave for Auckland on T u sday. ! Weixinqtom, F.'luuary 6. The list of uppliamtß for the Wellington f ection of th« Ninth Contingen' has closed with a total of 804 for 129 places. The Government Ims received something like 500 applicants for commissions in the Ninth. The Wellington quota will leave for Onehunga on Saturday morning in the Government steamer Hinemo. Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis hnR received word from ihe Defencp Department that 'tho North Taranaki quota of men are to parade at the Drill Ball with rolled blanket? at 7.30 on Saturday night, and will then proceed to the breakwater to embark for Auckland to join the rosin camp. L. H. Arden, Wangeiiui RifiV, row resident cf New Plymouth, wes yesterday selected for the 14th vscirtcy in the North Taranaki quota.