COMMUNICATION WITH LADYSMITH.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 513, 14 November 1899, Page 2

COMMUNICATION WITH LADYSMITH.

KIMBERLEY SURROUNDED. HARMLESS BOMBARDMENTS. ARRIVAL OF TRANSPORTS. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (BY ELKCTEIC TELEGRAPH—COPYBIGHT). DtJKBAN, November 11. Colonel C. E. Keith Falcwer, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed whilst reconnoitring at the Orange River. Three other officers were wounded. A heliograph message from south of (Joleuso states that they hope to communicate with Ladysmilh immediately. London, November 11. The British Admiralty have ordered 450 12-inch steel wire guns at a cost of millions, capable of firing from Dover to Calais. One hundred and fifty have been completed. Capetown, November 12.

The Boers, who are in great force with heavy artillery, have surrounded Kimberlcr. Commandant; Cronjc demanded its surrender before November 6th, otherwise the town would be shelled, and if women and children remainded it would be at Colonel Kekewich's responsibility. Colonel Kekeuich on the Bth inst. reported that the bombardment was harmless.

Colonel Hon. 0. H. Gough, chief of General Forestier Walker's staff, with a small force engaged 700 Free Staters at Belmont, CO miles south of Kimbcrley, the fighting lasting three hours.

Four additional transports with 3600 troops have arrived at the (Jape. Half have proceeded to Durban,

The transport Persis, with a squadron of the 6 h Dragoons aboard, en route for South Africa, broke her shaft near Cape Verde, and drifted towards precipitous rocks. The tug Blazer, manned by officers of the British cruiser Diadem, opportunely appeared and towed the Persis to St. Vincent for repairs. A Free State commando has invested the Aliwal North. The Free Staters captured Venterstad, a small township '2O miles south of Bethulie. Kimberley was reported safe on November sth. Durban, November 11. A consignment of Free State and Transvaal blended flags has been seized at Port Elizabeth. An official.report received from Ladysmith on Thursday states that the bombardment was harmless. Under a truce for the transfer of refugees, the Boers Bred upon the white fhg before the British had left neutral ground. The enticnchments at Ladysmith are being daily strengthened. The Boers have re-occupied Coleuso. CANARDS. London, November 11. Dr. Leyds, tho Transvaal agent in Europe, is now in Paris. The French pipers are full of ludicrous stories of Boer victories, and report that the Fifth Lancers were cut tD pieces, and that wounded Boers were tied to Maxim guns.

The Figaro announces that Cecil Rhodes has been captured. Thirty Howitzers will accompany th e s'ege train, which is being organised a t Woolwich for the bombardment of Pretoria.

The Red Cross Association has accepted the Duke of Newcastle's offer to rquip the hospital ship, for which the Princess of Wales is raising funds. COLONIAL CONTINGENT. Sidney, November 11. The Langton Grange being under charter to the Imperial Government for carrying remounts to the Cape, arrangements were made for tin balance of the New South Wales troops to travel free on condition that they attended the remoun's as well as their own horses. Rumours were current that they were iissatisfie I with the arrangements, which it was understood had been made by the military authorities. Mr Lyne deuied any kuo.vlc.lge. Major Thompson, the Imperial officer in charge of the remounts, called the Commandant's attention to the rumours, and snid unless the troops were willing to comply, other arrangements would have to be m idc. This meant that neither the troops nor their horses could travel by the Langton Grange. The Commandant paraded the men iitul referred to the rumours. He said he did not believe them. As soldiers thny must obey orders, and looking after the horses was one of the soldier's noblest duties. He ordered any man unwilling to serve to fall out.

None did, but a serg.aut stepped out and said all were willing and anxious to serve, and they keenly felt the slur cast upon tl em. The Commandant thanked them aud said he was proud of the answer. Sydney, Noveibcr 12. The Langton Grange sails for Newcastle on Monday. No more Lancers will be sent. Members of the Australian Horse will join the Lancers to make up for those who are returning.