The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 97, 17 January 1901, Page 4

The Transvaal.

London, January IS. Basutoland natives report that several Commandants who had controlled sections of De Wet’s force, grew tired of the ceaseless movement from place to place, and quitted their leader’s column. The disaffected Commandants are now conducting operations independently The Bultfontein garrison and inhabitants,together with the refugees and cattle, have been transferred to Smaldeel. The Irish Rifles surprised a laager at Kopjeallen, near Yentersburg road, capturing three hundred horses, and a number of cattle. The Dordrecht and Wodehouse Volunteers expelled the Boers from a strong position near Barkly East. The Boers retired to Cramberg, the Lancers pursuing them. Several drafts of cavalry sail from England for the Cape immediately. The Morning Post states that the raising of Colonial police has been temporarily abandoned, the War Office preferring the enlistment of Yeomanry. Disloyalists are creating confusion respecting the movements of the raiders. The majority of the Dutch farmers in Wellington support the Kroonstad appeal for peace. The farmers also denounce the idea of an Africander mission to the House of Commons, and maintain that the despatch of such a mission is calculated to prolong the war. The New Zealand Rough Rider, Alexander D. Ross, died of enteric fever at Pretoria. W. Miller, belonging to the same torce, was accidentally severely wounded at Pretoria. January 14. Fourteen hundred Boers at daybreak on January 12th attacked Zaarfontein and Kaalfontein. They were repulsed and driven in an easterly direction, the cavalry pursuing them. A Field Cornet was captured,and several Boers were kil led. The British casualties numbered six. Kaalfontein was shelled for six hours. The garrison of 140 maintained an exceptionally gallant defense. The Boers attacked Zeerust on January 7, but were'repulsed. Six British were weunded. General Boyes defeated the Boers at Seneka l , killing Commandant Dupruc, and eight burghers. There were no British losses. Bbisbane, January 14. Arrangements were made by which the Queenlanders were taken off the Orient in Moretown Ba;» and the vessel was sent to New Zealand without delay. Wellington, January 14. The Acting-Premier received a notification that 621, Rough Rider Morris Boyce had died of enteric at Pretoria, and that 520, Lance-Cor-poral Escott, of the Second Contingent, was dangerous l y ill at Pre, toria. Boyce enlisted at Leifchfield, . and Escott from Woodville. | January 14. Farther particulars relate that some Boers wearing khaki and British bandoliers surprised the sentry at Zuucfontein,and got within seven yards of the trenches before they were identified. Their leader was unhorsed, but he crawled back and was shot dead as he rose. He proved to be a member of the late Free State Volksraad. A hundred and fifty Britishers, with the utmost gallantry, repelled a thousand of the enemy. The Town Guard of Cape Town numbers 6000. The War Office denies that recruiting for Baden-Powell’s police is stopped. It is hoped to raise 10,000 fresh yeomanry and cavalry The Australians are furnishing another 10,000 mounted troops. The transports at Durban are preparing to proceed to Australia. Wellington, January 15. Sir A. Milner cables that Trooper Cameron, of Martinborough, Wair arapa, died at Lindley of enteric fever on January 2. As his name does not appear on the official lists of the New. Zealand Contingents, the authorities assume that deceased had joined one of the corps formed in South Africa.