THE BOER WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume X, Issue 947, 16 May 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

THE EXPULSION OF FOR EIGNE LIS.

GENELIAL OARRINGTON'S EXPEDITION.

Til 10 FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA.

(Received May Ifj, 12.2 S n.ni.) London, May 14. In tho House of Commons, in reply to questions, Lord Lunsdowno states that tlie Commission appointed to hold an inquiry into the expulsion of foreigners from the Transvaal and Orange Eiver Colony would proceed to Mouth Africa, hear evidence, and recommend u reasonable assessment of the losses. The subjects of friendly Powers alone would be considered. Mr Brodrick said it would be unnecessary to publish the report of Lieutonitut-Genernl Sir Frederick Oarrinjrton's expedition from Beira to relieve Mafeking, and thence to the Transvaal. Lord Stanley announced that it was not intended to increase the forces in South Africa.

THE CHARTERED COMPANY'S OFFER.

SITTING OI? THE TREASON COURT. FOUR THOUSAND REFUGEES AT BLOEMFONTEIN. (Received May 15, 4.50 p.m.) London, May 15. Mr Philp, Premier of Queensland, on being interviewed with reference to the Chartered Company's recent offer to Australians, said he did not think the offer of land would tempt Australians to remain in South Africa, but gold discoveries might do so. The Treason Court, at Barkley East, sentenced eight disloyalists to terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to two years. The Court has finished its sittings. Four thousand refugees are comfortably housed in Bloemfontein. A BLUE BOOK ISSUED. DESTRUCTION OF FARMS, MILLS AND COTTAGES. 634 BURNED BY THE BRITISH. (Received May 15, 4.50 p.m.) London, May 14. A Blue Book has been issued, showing that the British have burned 631 fannshcuses, mills, and cottages in the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies for military reasons.

LETTER FROM THE FRONT. Trooper Ueorge Steele writing from Park Town, Johannesburg under date March olst Buys: —"The Sixth Contingent left Pretoria last Thursday. I understand that they are making for Petersburg. There are a lot of troops moviug that way just now. Fred Raynes is qrdcriy to Lieutenant Wallis : but I havejnot seen him. I have just heard that Mr Newman Buttle is out here in the Imperial Light Horse Regiment, and that Frank INorrish, of Ohaupo, was with him. I have not seen Mr Buttle, but will try and find out where he is. I have quite recovered from enteric fever, and am at the present time stationed at the Governor's house. We shall be here a month yet. Seven of the mines around here started working this week. Things on the whole are very much the same here as they were two months ago. The Boers are still giving a iot of trouble on the railways lines. The building tr*de is very brisk all over South Africa. At Capetown carpenters are getting 17s 9d per day, and the same rate prevails in Durham. Carpenters here in the mines are getting 22s 6d to 25s per day. House rent here is about £7 or £3 per month for a four or five roomed house, and house-owners consider that a house should pay for itself iu five years ; not a bad investment ! Tliote will be a splendid market here for New Zealand produce. We cannot get any other but New Zealand and Australian butter at present. Soldiers can get it from ihe canteen for 2s per ll>, but butter tint is sold in the tmirket to the general public brines from Gs to Ss per Ih, eggs are now 10s per dozen, potato's £5 per sick or 9d per 111, but fruit and other vegetables are Very plentiful and cheap."