The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 145, 15 May 1900, Page 3

The Transvaal.

London, May 10. Daring General Hutton's reconnaisance on the Zand Biver, the New Zealanders were posted on a kopje overlooking the river, with New South Wales and Canadian troops in reserve on a kopje at the rear. Ten thousand Boers with six guns, on ihe northern aide, were prepflring to leave, with a convoy aud a laden train, but returned I the shelling of the 'British. Many of the enemy crossed the dry bed of the river to the southwards, and circled to the right, thus enfilading the Westralians. The Boer shells threatening ; the New Zealanders' line of retreat, tl c New South Wales troops moved gallantly forward and held the enemy in check in the face of a galling fire, and covered there treat of the advance forces. The advancing British ■forces un<ier Generals Tucker, Hamilton and Carew have crossed the Zand River, gradually expelling the Boers, from strong positions, the enemy's convoys retreating in inextricable confusion, the crowd of Boers being panic stricken owing to a report that the town of Senekal. 40 milos north-east of Winburg, is alroady occupied by the British, Burghers are massing north of Mafeking to resist the advance of Colonel Pluuier's force. Commandant Botha, with ten guns, is confronting Colonel Hutton's column. The Standard states that the European Powers have warned the Transvaal that if the mines are destroyed Great Britain will be requested to exact personal compensation, beginning with the Presidents and high officials. JThe-new Governor of Delagoa BBayy v is treating corned beef, clothing, and boots destined for the Transvaal as contraband of war. • Many foreign mercenaries are quitting the Transvaal in disguise.

May 11. Mr Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that Natal loyalists will be compensated for losses out of the indemnity hereafter to be exacted from the enemy. The Transvaal Volksraad authorised the Government to adopt peace decisions according to circumstances. It -is the concensus of opinion in Natal and Cape Colony that tha Boera | are collapsing, and will crave for peace at tfce earliest momentLord Roberts telegraphs from his position north of the Zand River on Thursday that the enemy are in full retreat. Cavalry and horse artillery are pursuing them along three different roads. Lord Roberts' has 30,000 Jmen with him, equalling General Buller's force. The latter is. beginning to move. .. A telegram shows that Free Staters, without ' Steyn'a approval, held a meeting and passed resolutions favouring the submission. Twelve thousand ■cases of supplies remain in bond at Delagoa l^ay, owing to contraband decrees. The plans for defending and supplyiug the garrison at Lydenburg are thus hampered. Mr Steyn has 10,000 men north-east of Thabanchu. It is expected that his cattle will be cap Lured. Lord Roberts wired : — " The enemy north of Zand River, before they recreated, occupied & position extending over 20 miles. Our lines were necessarily longer than theirs. lam hopeful that our men have not suffered much/ ' Generals French and Hufcton, -aftei a series of artillery duels, crossed the Zand at Vermenline Kraal, and thence worked north-east, 3000 of fche enemy opposing them. The infantry carried some kopjes at the bayonet's point with great gallantry, especially on the parts of the Sussex and East Lancashire.

May 12. Botha commanded 6000 men with 12 guns at Zand Eiver. Eight commandants, .including De Wet and "Delarey -were present. Thousands of the enemy on the • previous night trekked with grnis and families toward Kvoonstttd under cover of a clever rearguard action, which lasted;.all the following day, the-convoy and waggons getting near Kroonstad by^dusk. The Mafekiog. relief eolffinn pasßed Vr,yburg on Wednesday, making a forced march. Advices by way of Pretoria state that the British relief column of 3000 strong, with field guns, which is advancing along the railway line by forced marches night and day, passed Vryburg on Wednesday towards Mafeking. Boer commandos are harrassing their rear. [Vryburg is .96 miles -south of Mafeking.] •General Buller is advancing on Helpraakaar, near Van Reenan's Pass. He had b. smart skirmish with ths enemy's outpost.

Mr Chamberlain, spedking at Bitminghavn, said the Bepublics. would bo administered like a Crown colony or Indian native dependencies, and, whenever it was considered safe, would be introduced within the circle -of self-governing colonies. The loyalists, he asserted, would not find themselves in a worbe position than those who looted their houses and defied their homes. *

May 13. Lord Roberts entered Kvoonstadt -yesterday unopposed. Steyn fled -fche previous night. He vainly endeavoured to persuade the burghers to continue fighting. ; The refusal of the burghers to fight at Kroonstadt, resulted in a great quarrel between the Free Staters and Transvaalevs.

Pretoria, May 12. Kruger made an impassioned speech to the Vollcsraad. He appealed to God to strengthen the right, and said that he possessed documentary proof that a devilish conspiracy to annihilate the Republics existed in 1896. Britain was a vindictive anS voracious foe, and our everlasting enemy. Kruger was subsequently accused of corruption in connection with mining proposals, and quitted the Yolkaraad in a passion. Mr Smuts protested against Krug&r's attempts to browbeat the Assembly.

» Calcutta, May 12. [ Preparations are being made at Dijitalwa, Ceylon, for tko reception of 6000 Boor prisoners. Wellington, May 13. The Premier has received advice from the United States Consul at Pretoria to the effect that the New Zealanders, who are there as prisoners, are all in good health, are provided for comfortably.