Pretoria Rejoicings.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 157, 2 June 1900, Page 3

Pretoria Rejoicings.

On Thursday evening, shortly before eight o'clock, the news came to Waimate that the Boers had ahandoued Pretoria. The ringing of the fire bell soon brought a crowd, and when the news went round there was tremendous excitement. Following &o close on the occupation of Johannesburg, people naturally doubted a little, but all doubts wera thrown. to. the winds on a little consideration of the faot that ,Lord Roberts was in command ot the British. His Worship the Mayor mounted the Bteps at the Post Office' 1 ana addressed those present. He said he had the greatest pleasure in reading to them a telegram just received, " Boors have abandoned Pretoria." (Tremendous cheeriug). Ifc was the best piece of news we had heard, for if the Boers had abandoned Pretoria, the fortress that was supposed to be impregnable they must be in a demoralised condition, and the end of this war muit be in sight. We had, indeed, reason to pray that it soon would be, for war was a ghastly thing for those who [knew what it was to lose heloved

friends and relations. Now this news had come at a most opportune moment, for he just called a public meeting to discuss what should be dono in case Pretoria were taken or peace declared. The Ma^or cordially invited them to come to the Borough Council Chambers and settle down to work to discuss what kind of moncter demonstiation we would have later on. Cheers were given for Lord Roberts and the New Zealanders. and the meeting m&persed after cheers' for the Jla) or.