CABLE NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 15 February 1902, Page 3

CABLE NEWS

ST JCmothic TiLMSAra.—Copyright BOER* WAR, GENERAL ITIMB. PER PUIS ASSOCIATION. London, February 13. The Daily Telegraph correspondent states that a five hours battle was fought on Friday night along the blockhouse line from Beilbron onward. The Boers made frantic charge**, seeking an cutlet from the rirg of fire and sttel. Commandants Vanniekiik and Vandsrmerwe and many rebel* wme captured. Tim correspondent estimates the Boer casualties during the recent drive at 100, and the total bag for t,wo days at COO, including many colonial rebels. Twenty-three Boers have surrendered at Middleburg. The Ag«nts-Gei.eral of the various colonies meet to discuss the propriety of urging that the Army meat contract be kept withiu the Empire. A German resident of Durban ha<* written to protest against the slanders of the British troops.

PRESENTATION TO MB CHAMBERLAIN. London, February 14. Tbe luncheon and presentation of an address iu a gold bc>x by the City of London to Mr Chamberl»in in recognition of his statesmanlike qualities and patiiot sm to the true interests tf the Empire was a gnat fucotion. The gathering included many members of tile Cabinet. Mr Chamberlain received a tiemendous ova'ion. He insisted that now the w«r was ending the country must be careful that the emotions are not allowed to overpower common sense. Received IS *o.3# a m. London, Februiry 14. Mr Chamberlain, in a speech at bis presentation, justified, on the ground of self-pretervation, the banishment of irreconciliab'.e leaders —the worst enemies of South Africa -who had laely expressed a hope that a fr»su opportunity would arise of sweeping the Eogltsh into the sea. He added, "We eh>ll not treat with them; net even touch their [property. Our duty was to shew that disloyalty does not always pay." At a luncheon at the Mansion House Mr. Chamberlain, in a vehement eulogy on the Imperialism and pitri.*irm of the colonies, emphasited Sir Henry Parke.' watchword, "One people, one destiny." Mr, Balfour declared that Mr. Chamberlain bad gained a position in the world of British statesmen second to none.

The Agents-General were invited only to the reception which followed the lunch'on.

IHB MKAT CONTRACTS. Received 15,0.40 a.m. Loudon, February 14. B«rgl, interviewed said hi« original meat tender stated it was intended to draw supplies as far as possible from the colonies. His company's capital was privately subscribed. He supplied the old company at Sd and 3|d per lb., carriage being an additioeal 2d. The company had made £6,000,000 in two years and a half. Received 15,1.7 a.m. London, January 14. Excitement prevails in Germ > »y over Britain refusing to permit the despatch of a German rOlief medical mission to the Boer concentration camp». No objection is raised to the sending of food and clothing. An officer of the British remount department has resigned, refusing to answer charges in reference to purchases made in New Orleans, A military court inquires into the circumstances of the case. Hokitika, February 14. The memorial to honour Wtstlund men who have served in the South African war will stand on the'site originally selected for a monument to tha memory of tbe pioneer surveyors. The present memorial will cost about £4OO, and will be a striking granite structure.