The Transvaal. London, Feb. 18.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 111, 22 February 1900, Page 3

The Transvaal. London, Feb. 18.

The fighting that took place at Bonsburg on Monday was fierce and 'determined. Four thousand Boers -attacked a hill defended by the Worcester Regiment, and were badly repulsed, losing 100 killed. Ultimately ■ the Boers occupied Rensburg. Two companies of the "Wiltshire Kegiinent, holding a post in the Vicinity of Rensburg, were forgotten 'when the British retired to Arundel, •and were captured. Colonel Hannay's brigade or coloni•als, while following General Kennys «arlier movements, engaged 500 Boers, 1 the fighting lasting throughout Sunday .last. The enemy retired at nightfall. By abusing the white flag, they captured a water party of 10 men, The Highland Brigade has reinforced General Kenny,

The G-ufiula Brigade is enc- wip^d in ! the po&ition cv, cv dvd by G^no^a! j Crouje at M.igcrstonteiii. The colonials made a brilliant bciyonet charge at Dordrecht on Friday mght. The Boera fled before the charge.

Feb. 19. General Buller is threatening the Boers' 'position on Inlahwe Hill, east of Colenso. There is considerable movement of the Boers northward of Ladysmith, snpposed to be the result of General Roberts' invasion of the Free State* The Spectator urges a permanent inclusion in the Biitish Army of 20,000 Canadians, 10,000 Australasians, and 10,000 of a Foreign Legion, all to be 1 paid by Britain. The bulk of Cronje's forces, in order to avoid starvation, exossed the Modder Eiver, towards Bloemfontein. Major-General French twice charged through a minor section of the enemy, northwest of Kimberley. Colonel Kenny is harassing Cronje's reaiguard. The bluejackets worked the guns to advantage, tho enemy moving from kop]e to kopje, holding each as long as possible to enable Cronje's convoy to proceed, but it moved slowly, the animals being dead beat when it reached Klipkaal Drift. General Delarey disobeyed the order to retreat, and attacked Jacobsdal on the loth, despite the Red Cross Flying. The portions of two companies ot the Wiltshire Regiment, left behind whpn the British retired to Arundel, have arrived at Aiui d-1. Lord Roberts' movement is pvonouucod to be unsurpassed. MajorGencr.il French's unwavofcing mobility through heat, dubt storms, rain and lightning, peii'ecfc transport service, and infantry's splendid marching, were conspicuous features. The combination dovetailed maryellously. despite long mtrches across deep water holes and sand. The troops throughout displayed tho incarnation ot faun in their commander. When the forces under Tucker find Colonel Kennj- reached lliet nver, thi^ freed Mujor-Geueral Fieri eh for tho march to ILmbeiley. They found that owing to "t'aa bteepness of the northern bank of the river at Dekiels Drift, the mules connected viith the transport service impeded the maich, and rel.v s of oxen weio impio'wsed to co opeiate with the dragging of Major Goneial French's, loads. Throughout the night du-^t storms were terrible, j Loid Kitchener accompanied Tucker to within three miles of Jacobsdal, The column is marching along the mer for the sake of water supply. Kitchener here awaited the amval of Colonel Kolly-Keun^'s column and immediately upon a junction ol forces. Colonel Kenny advanced and occupied *ft position commanding Klip Dtift oa the Modder River, which was hold by Ma]or-General Fiench, who thereupon continued the march to Kunbe'4oy. In the meantime Geneval Methuea watched the Boers at Mago-sfontbin. Tucker held Jneobsdal, which had been previously occupied by thuLiitibh, and Colville's column occupied a position in the vicinity of Jacobsdal. Major General French's march was throuph deep and waterless sand, and water-holes. Major-General French, commanding 10,090, returned from Kimbarley and joined Colonel Kelly-Kenny later. Ho first attacked Cronje's rearguard of a thousand waggons at Khpdriffc and Dneput, where the Boers held kopjes. A battle waged all day, the British casualties being few in number. A telegram, signed by Cronje, confessing that he had been completely surprised, was found at the place where the Boers laagered, but which they havo since abandoned. The Times Modder River correspondent says a day's unworkable transpoit delay at Dekiel's Drift prevented the British from surrounding the whole Boer force. Magersfontein was only evacuated on Thursday evening. The guns used by the Naval Brigade outranged the Boer guns, which were used to cover the retreat. The usual mobility of the Boers, owing to their oxen being overworked, had vanished. General Buller has captured and established head at Hussar. he has also captured Cingolo, at Hill eastwards of Inhlawe, after lydditing and inflicting severe havoc on the Boers. The British casualties were few. Ladysmith reports that there are indications that the Boers are abandon their laagers.

Feb.' 19. After the capture oi Cingoios Hill. General Buller oa Sunday drove tho Boers from a strong position at MonteChristo, and across the Tugela, after a hard fight. He captured several camps, and waggons of stores and ammunition The British casualties ; were not heavy.

General Kenny Jus- captured 150 , j 1 )ti the loot including thoucd'j<l-> ot stock biscuit boxes filled with ammunition addressed to Pretbria via, Delagoa Bay. The British casualties in relieving Kiniberley were 50. When' Loid Methven occupied Magersfontein there were many indications that it had been abandoned in a panic. Cooked dinners were found untouchod. Great quantities of stoics weie captmed. The position was marvellously fortified and impregnable. The Daily [News coi'i'espondent declares ihat tho Boeis did not remove the heavy guns. This statement, however, needs confirming. The Bcsidents of Jacob°dal were amazed that the British, instead oi looting the town, distnbuted arm\ stores among the inhabitants. Lord Roberts has issued a proclama tion declaring that President Steyn. and not the Free State burghers, were responsible for the invasion by the British forces, and that Britain retains no ill-will to the burghers. The Queen has congratulated Lord Roberts upon the success of the recent movement, and also acknowledges the heroism of the Kiniberley garrison during the siege. The Daily Mail's correspondent, who was present during the fiist Riet rher engagement, between the Boer com niando from Ronsburg and the British detachment e&corting 200 waggons, statns that the waggons wore saved by the ai rival of British reinforcements. 1 * Private McCane, of the Victorian contingent, reported killed at Rensbuig, was wounded and captured.

Feb. 20. A troop of Innibkillin D/agoons and Victorian Mounted Rifles defended a kopi? west of Bastaids Nek, in the Colesbuig district, until the enemy opened upon them with a 40 pounder. Then tViev took up a position at Hobknk's farm, which they tenaciously ilefonded, tho British numbering hundreds against thousands of Boers. Eventually the Inniskillins charged through 500 of the enemy, and managed to escape, after inflicting heavy loss. The Times coirp-pondrnt states that the Yicfcoiians, seeing tiio Boers on a kopje, charged &i<d wok entrapped. All were found df .id vuth bayonets h\ed and bloodstamed. No omcial confirmation has bean received that all aie dead, The Times says that the devotion of the Victorians, dunfj to a man, and fighting to the ln-,t. will always elicit admiration, and u diav/mg closer the ties of the Empire. Rrigacher Brab.M.ts column left, Penhock, crossed a tiackles^ veldt, and bivouacked in the heart of the rebel country in Northern Cape Colony. They fought all Friday, dismantling the Boer 15 pouudo^ at Dordrecht. At midnight Captain.|£'T?|anagan led a charge, captming a JBooi larger ot tho point of the bayonet 'ui'l much forage and a number of pu^oneis. Brigadier Brabant occupied PordiO'iht, and on Sunday pursued tins rotrivting enemy The British casualties were seven killed and eight wotrhded. The Australian Bushmen's Fund totals £11,500. The committee cabled .£lO,OOO to Sydney for distribution among the various colonies in the proportion to the number of wen each colony sent. ,» : The Boers cl|im <to ha^e captured 142 of the Wiltshire/ Regiment, when the British retired to Artssdol, including 44 wounded. .' 'f

Capetown, Feb. 19. Detachments of, the Inniskillin Dragoons, with sod*" guns> the Royal Dragoons. 12th Lanccis and two companies of the Few .South Wales Mounted Infantry, under Captain J. G-. Legge, and Lisut. W. Holmes, reconnoitred at Kni}fontein, westward from JRensburg, on ' Saturday, and were exposed to a terrible fire from two i Vickers-Maxim g>uns, but escaped I scatheless. ' j Mr Ehodes pays the cost of the conveyance of Women and children from Kimberley to the j In the fighting at Drieput MajorGeneral Knot's brigade, under Lord Kitchener, especially distinguished itself. ' /

Melbourne, Feb. 20. The Legislative Gfuncil adopted the Legislative A ssembfy 's| congratulations to Lord Boberl>s. f , Prior to pro-rogatioa,, the Assembly resolved to send a cable congratulating Lord Eobert^ upon the magnificent services rend/ered the Queen and .Empire, in South Africa. Over ifilfOO was cleared at the recent race meeting in aid of the Patriotic Fund, ■ /

/ Sydney, Feb. 19. The Southern Cross, with a porfci'an oftbeJ^ew South Wales second' con-

iingent, arrived at Capetown on Saturday "evening* i The News' special, writing from Slingersfontein, gives the following account of the death of Trooper Booth, of New Zealand. During a temporary respite of hostilities the Bo3r artillerymen took the opportunity to place a Creuzot gun in such a position as to command the plain five miles north and" north east of our comp. and their fiisL shot, admirably aimed, burst, around a knot of men standing round a charger of Geneial Clements, who was , directing operations. Troopers Booth and Culling, of the New Zealand contingent, were the general'" orderlies for the day. The latter wa<? holding the horse, while Troopei Booth had charge of Lieutenant Clay son's mount. The mibsile struck the ground at Trooper Booth's feet and killed him almost inimediatelv, the same shell knocking Culling insensible and wounding four horses so severely that the poor brutes had to be shot. Trooper Booth, strange to say, had made his will the day before, Culling being one of the witnesses. His bod3 r was laid beside the other Nfw Zea lander on a kopje at the back of the camp. The same correspondent gives particulars of a plucky act performed by another New Zaalander. Corporal McKlegg, with a scouting party, hs.d the bad luck to be thrown on hi s head, his horse putting its foot in a hole pst as he was galloping back with the main body, and his horse scampered after the others. Corpoial McKlegg ceitamly would have been shot or captmed if Trooper "Walte r Johnston, of his troop, had not caught the steed, and with coolness and pluck gone back to his assistance amid a hail of bullets. " You'd better be quick, sir," remarked the youngster a3 unco icerned as possible. "They are making this place too warm for us." Both got off scot free though the musket fiie was knocking up the dust all lound them. The Enily Telegraph's Capetown correspondent writes : — The Boers were surpiisel at Bpionkop by a body of iufantiy under Colonel Woodgate, which left the Biitish camp under cover of tho daikuess and noiselessly scaled the precipice on the western side. The rneo left the base of the mountain, and, after a long and difficult detour, about 2 o'clock in the morning q lined the crest without being observed by the enemy. The sentry then challenged. The answer was a ringing British cheer, and a bayonet charge, the sentry bring lulled amongst other Boers. Our leading section occupied their trench. Another trench was evacuated by the enemy before daybreak. Our men coolly waited the stern work before them. By good luck mist coveied the mountain, but the mist lifting for a moment the little battalion was assailed by a heavy lire. The interchange of shots continued without causing much loss until the mist disappeared. While the British were waiting for the order to advance the whole Boer position was subject to heavy fire of lyddite and shrapnel. This had fallen off somewhat about 9 o'clock. "When the sun cleared away the mist, the enemy scoured the face of the tableland with a hail of bullets at long range, while the Creuzot and Hotchkiss guns commenced shelling from the ridge. Our men began to fall fast, and at one time it appeared that they would be obliged to retire before the overwhelming odds, but they stuck to the positions gallantly until reinforcements arrived at two in afternoon. Before the main body arrived the onemy rushed up to the trenches, pointed their rifles* and called on the section -to surrender. Our men refused, and ere they could use their bayonets the enemy fired, and rolled a number of dead back into the trenches. As the reinforcements reached the crest they rushed and crawled forward, the space became congested, there little ,pver, and the bullets rained anfl the shell fire was heavy, a number being killed. Unfortunately, there was np wator on the top of Spionkop, and it was impossible to take guns up the steep sides, while the fire from the enemy's masked guns on our artillery made the position untenable. It was only the heroic conduct of the officers and men that prevented overwhelming numbers of the enemy rushing the' position early in the day. The enemy exhibited splendid? courage, some of them actually standing in front of the firing line. Three times one party coolly walked up to the trench occupied by the Lancashire Fusiliers with their hands up and their rifles slung to endeavour to trick our men into believing that they were surrendering. Someone fired a shot while they were parleying, and instantly there was a great melee, Sproe of the British charged with the bayonet, 'others grappled the enemy, but not before the Jatjei? got n a

volley, tumbling aiinj back into the trenches, On the next two occasions when the enemy tried the trick, the defenders fired and, drove them off. Desperate fire from rifles and Maxim automatic shells caused great havoc. After five hours' desperate fighting, the battalion on Spionkop was exposed to a cross fire from fiy.e different directions, and eventually, at niiae o'clock at night, it was ordered to retire. General Warren's force re crossed the Tugela the same night and the following morning. The enemy allege that their loss at Spionkop was 151, including a German officer.

Feb. 20. The Moravian, with the New South Mules Lancers, has arrived at Capetown. The Maplemore, the second Imperial transport 7?aich is to convey the Bushmen's contingent, has arrived. T.he departure of the Bushmen's contingent has been postponed to the 28th inst. The Bushmen's Fund now totals £27,000, and the Patriotic Fund over £23,000. Mr Chamberlain replied that he was much gratified with Mr Lyne's message, congratulating him on the relief of Kimberley. Mr Lyne cabled congratulations to Lord Roberts.

Wellington, Feb. 19. The Premier has received the following from Lord Roberts, dated Jacobs dal, 18th inst. ; — " Please accept yourself and offer to the New Zealand people warmest thanks of myself an'd army in South Afiica for kiod congratulatory telegram. The New Zealand Contingent has already done sqlendidwork. I could nat wish for better soldiers, and the additional force Now ZeaJaud is sending will be be most warmly welcomed. Robeits." His Excellency has received the following cable from the Imperial Government ; — " Her Majesty's Government learn with very great SRtisfaction of the departure of the Third New Zealand Contingent, and of the loyalty and enthusiam prevailing, also of the contemplated departuie of a Fourth Contingent towards the end of March.''

Feb. 20. Trooper Johnston, of the first contingent, who saved the lite of Corporal XfcKlegg. hails from Gieenhills. Kaihika, Oftago. The Agent-General cables :—": — " London 20th, 12.5 am. The Boers were driven Lorn a strong position across the Tugela by General Duller. Several camps and waggons of stores and ammunition were taken, and he also captured a number of Boers. MajorGeneral Fiench is surrounding a Boer laager at Broinfield and shelling it. Brandant occupied Dordrecht without resistance*" Mr Daniels, of the Union Company, who fitted the Knight Templar, in reply to a statement from Christchurch, as to the wane of accommodation on the steamer, says that the men have better quarters than on the Waiwera, and more room for drill. The latter is flushed decked and the Knight Templar is well-decked, and which makes th"c accommodation for horses, between decks look gloomy, but the electiic light was installed and wind sails fitted to ensure ventilation. Mr Daniels considers the vessel will carry horses with no more than the average risk.

CnuisircHCßCii, Feb. 19. A rumour circulated to day that the Knight Tetnplai 1 had returned to Lybtelton, caused a good deal of anxiety. The slorj prob.ibly arose through some one mistaking the steamer Undaunted approaching the baibour for the troopship. The steamer Undaunted, which arrived at Lyttelton to-day, is to be fitted up to take 50 horses to South Africa for remounts. Statements have been published that the accommodation on the troopship Knight Templar for horses and men is inadequate and have excited a good deal of commet. Some gec'tletaen> who went on board the ship as she lay in the stream on Sunday, were interviewed. The accommodation for the men was considered very bad by the visitors, who expressed themselves very strongly on the matter, but the arrangements fo* the horses were consideied to be even worse. The opinion was freely expressed that those on the forward deck would be drowned should bad weather be met with. * Those on" the after were comfortably situated, but the animals in the holds would have a very bad time from Want of light and ventilation.

Feb. 20; In addition to the 'statements made as to the accommodation for men and horses on the Knight Templar, there have, been rumours as to the vessel herself, These are contradicted by Captain Willis,- surveyor to v tbe Lloyd's [Registrar, in a letter to the locaVnewspapers, Jn the eowse of bis letter, be,

says :—" The s.s. Knight Templar is a very strong built vessel, built by a fust class firm, and fitted with excellent machinery. The steamer was some 18 inches lighter on leaving this port than if she had been loaded with full dead weight cargo. Consequently she is in excellent trim. There is ample water ballast on board, and the vessel has not too much top weight. All the changes or alterations in her hull were carried out under my ''supervision as surveyor to Lloyd's Registrar, and I had not slightest hesitation in reporting to the local underwriters and Lloyd's Registrar, that the vessel, as regards stability of hull and fittings, is quite seaworthy. As regards the accommodation for men and hoises, and ventilation, etc., I have nothing to say." The fete and art union, promoted by Mrs J. Studholme. in aid of the Canterbury War Fund, netted the sum of £673 12s 3d.