NATAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8080, 9 April 1906, Page 2

NATAL CRISIS.

NARROW ESCAPES. ZULUS AMONGST THE REBELS. GOVERNMENT ORGANISING MILITIA. Capetowx, April 6. Bambatta's men crawled through the grass, and would have surprised the hotel, only loyal natives warned the occupants to fly just in time. The ladies were seated on the pommels of the troopers' saddles, the .horses going at full speed. They were hotly pursued by the Kaffirs, who fired repeatedly. Forty police have arrrived to defend the laager at Kcate's Drift. They sent an urgent appeal to Captain Man* sel.

The Government are mobilising 8000 militia. There are some Zululand Zulus with Bambatta. Capt. Mansel has organised a flying ing column undor Inspector Lindsay. HOME TROOPS UNDER ORDERS. 20,000 REGULARS AT CAPETOWN.

Received 8, 4.23 p.m. London, April 7. A Brigade of Field Artillery at Aldershot are under orders for South Africa. There are twenty thousand Regulars at the Cape. REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE, PREPARING TO SHELL THE REBELS. NATJVE AUXILIARIES COOPERATING. LOYAL IMPI ANXIOUS TO • FIGHT. Received 8, 4.27 p.m, \ Capetown, April 7. Reiuforccments sent to Greytown from Mantzburg and Durban effected a junction with tho force under' Col. Mansell at Botha's farm. Colonel Leuchars' commando, with the Umooti Mounted Rifles, Durban Light Infantry and four guns have arrived.

Artillery is posted on a hill and preparations are being made to shell Bnw batta's position. Infantry arc being largely employed, and careful scouting is necessary. Besides the trained Zulu auxiliaries co-operating with Col. Lcuchars, the Chief Sebiudi is ready with ft larg« irapi to tackle Bambnata in the bush in native fashion.

Bavnbaata commandeered a number of loyal natives and forced them to the front when attacking the police.