BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 91, 29 March 1902, Page 2

BOER WAR.

HBNKRAL ITEMS. PES PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, March 26. In a combined movement against Delarey, a forcn of cavalry without gun* or impedimenta captured 100 prigonfrs, three fifteen poundfis and two pompoms, j Stomst, March 27. i The damsgo to tbe Devoa'* bones is less serious than at iint anticipated. Eight stowaways were found aboard, six of whom beint; suitable wen allowed to join tho Contingent, Melbourne, March 28. The second Commonwealth Contingent ha* sailed for the Cape, Received 27, 8.15 p.m. London, March 26.

The Boers in Brussuls assert that Steyn a»d D* Wet will iniisn on complete independence, and that Schalk Burger and Botha willacctptuutoßemjr. Sir Taubman Goldie, interviewed after visiting South Africa, seated that the qu'stion of an amnesty to rebel* was the chiff obstacle to pcaoe. He hoped the Government would at least insist on every rebel fighter being disfranchised for life. It was imperative te abolish duality of language, A hundred thousand troops would be required for years to maintain peace. AN EASTERN "SWEEP." AN EXTENDED AND USEFUL MOVEMENT. Received 27,8.26 p.ru. London, Mn-ch 26. An operation took place from Commando Drift through 8 wart bank and Gestopfonteingelup to Lichtenbnrg blockhouse. Nine columns commenced to move at dawn on Monday, moving rapidly east and keeping a continuous lifie with the object of driving the Boers against blockhouse line*, oc forcing an action. Colonel Eekewteh captured some guns and nine prisoners; Colonel Walter Kitchener 89 prisoners, 45 cartg, and 1000 cattle. Some additional prisoners were captured on the blockhouse line. The troops covered 89 miles in 24 hours. Rochfortfe and! Rawlinson's columns have not yet reported their results. .

EXECUTION OF AUBTRALI4.H OFFICERS.

Melboubnb, Miifoii 27. Major Lcnehuu, who cimmandsd the Bush Veldt Carbineers to which the Australian officers who were shot belonged, supplied Mr Barton with tha particulars. Mr Barton t ablet to South Africa for further particular*, j A letter from a brother of one of j the officers concerned stated tha party ]of Busb Veldt Carbineers unde* Capj tain Hunt, attacked a t-rmhouM. After some fighting they retired, leaving Hunt on the ground wounded. When they laMirned with reinforoil j ments Hunt's body was found stripped and mutilated, A Boer, who waa caught wearing Hunt's clothes, waa tried by drumhead court-martial and shot. Subsequently six Boers, who were caught wearing khaki, were ooortmartialed and shot, - From information sapplitd from other rources it is understood tha officers shot were Lieutenant H. H. Morant, South' Australian, and Untenant P. J, Handcock, supposed to have hailed from Westralia, while Lieutenant G. R. Vitton, a Victorian, was sentenced to penal servitude for life. He was taken to Cape Town is irons add sent to England. The fourth officer waa also punished in some war unknown. Mklbodb.Vx, Id iroh 28, Major Lenehanj, in the capacity of commanding officer, waa also triad for shooting Boets and sent to pruoa for three months. Morant informed the Court that ha alon<i wa* responsible for the shooting, which was done by his orders. While awaiting trial, the prisonara | continued fighting with the Oarbineara for two months. Morant was the son of Admiral Bigby Moiv.nt, and a contributor to the Bulletin under the nom-de-plume of "The Breaker."

EFFECT OF THK LATEST BWJCEP. DISAPPOINTMENT ON THK CONTINENT. Received 28,0.21 a.m. Lohdon, March 27. The lates 1 . sweep resulted in the c>ptureof 185 Boers. Jt cameas % th«nderbolt on the Continent.. Tue Boars and pro-Boers, on hearing of Sohalk Burger's mission speculated nx'raragantly as to cooeessiona obtainable after the receut British reverse*. and even declared that the British had invited Burger to disougs concessions.

Ihe retention by W Mi!n ur of Ui* Sigh Oommissionewhip i« r» pr?geaU<l as obnoxious, and the real obstacle to peace. The Bruraella newspap»r Tvdepaidence Beige eays the defeat of l)el«rey is most unfortunate, neutralising all tba moral benefit accruing from Jbord Merhuen's capture'. The columns in north-fast Orange Colony captured 25 Boers. MORS NATAL TBOOPB FOH THE FRONT. Received 28, 0.5? sua. London, March 27. At Lord Kitchener's instance Natal is sending an additional 500 mounted men to the front. FROJKOTED CONFERENCE Of BURGHERS. Received 28, 10.80 a.m. Losdon, March 27. A conference of Hooped Burghera is expected to take pbcQ ac Pretoria on Sunday. 80HALK BURGER AT KROONBTAD. Reoeived 29, 0.30 a m. Londoh, Mtroh2B. , The total captures in the reeenc f. vi>ep were 187. 1) larey etill baa four guns, but two> ere u:.>Ubb. Soi. :i Burger and his party reached' Kroons'. .1 oa lie 2»rd. One delwa-* was blindfolded on the 24th, and escorted through the Irn-n under a white flag to m ot Steyr. The rest of the party lived at 'he sti ion, and ifterwnnds at a jirivaw house, awttittnir liis return, MORE ABOUT'! K COURTM K TIAL. "FOR THS CRj w ,;ir OF ENGLAND," Rocelv d 29, 0.40 a.m. Lomdok, M«i.:h2B. The Morning Leader pub'(that a iv'lian's letwr, wrifen at IVetaria m-

February 27'b, statin* that Lieutenant Hancock and Major Morant were courtmartiillvd and shot for killing some Dutchmen near Pietersbuig in order to secure their money. Though this was not warfare the writer suggest* that these men made a pile from the farm house and prisoners before descending 'o the final deed. The Daily Mail says the Australians i who were courtmartialled commanded I the Bosh Vrldt Carbineers—a mixed' "scally-wag" body recruited from] South Africa and the colonies, and | adds thai the atrocious murder and looting of hurrendered Dutchmen and nativts required, for the credit of Eogland, an exemplary punishment. PRAVKRH FOR PEACH. Received 29,0.50 a.in. London, Match 28. The bishops of London, Rochester, and St. Albaus have made a joint Good Friday appal for prayers for peace, if it may be rightly had. TH* TENTH CONTINGENT. Wellirgton, March 27. The North Island battalion of the Tenth Contingent will mobilise at Treniham on Friday, April 4th. Tbe different centres of the volunteer district will contribute as follows: —Wellington 68, Wanganui 35, Napier 35, Palmers ton North 34, New Plymouth 20, Haw'ra 22, Gieborne 20, Muterton 20, Dmneviike 13, WoodviHe 13, total 272. No married men will be accepted. Auckland, March 28. Three hundred and fifty applications have beeu teceived for places in tbe Tenth Contingent.