The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 150, 9 January 1902, Page 1

The Transvaal.

London, January &. During December 30th British and 190 mm were killed, and forty-nine officers and 382 men were wounded. There were 393 deaths from accidents and disease, anti 1456 men were invalided home. In reply to an inquiry by Sohalkburger regarding the terms upon which the Boers could agree ’th cease fighting the Boer lerders in Europe instructed him to accept the only complete independence. Major-General Elliott captured twelve Boers in action with De Wet’s rearguard l , ntrth of Ri-ilz. While reconnoitring at Vryheid SC& charged Colonel Garret’s advanced guard', licit they were repulsed. ■January 6. Major-General Rnhdle, with flit Grenadier 'Guards arid was three miles north of Tweefontein at the time of Da Wet’s attackHe sent the Sl-affordshires to Colonel Firman’s assistance. They were nearly ambushed, but regained camp With small loss. The Daily Mail representative interviewed the Boer peace delegates at Holland, : and found them willing to discuss peace if the demand for an unconditional surrender were withdrawn. The fighting headers, especially the Free Staters, consider that'in ‘event of a'conference on the question absolute independence ought to be approached with an open mirirl. They refuse to negotiate with Lord Milner. A patty of the Scots’ Greys had a Sharp encounter at Bronkhorst’s Spruit. The Boera allowed 'the'advance guard td pass, then attacked the left flank. Six of the Greys were killed, and thirteen wounded. After a two hours’ fight the Boers retired. General Bruce Hamilton’s columns crossed the flooded Vaal River by pontoons, and pursued the enemy in a thick mist and steady rain, capturing many Without firing a shot. The British were compelled to give up phrauit, andreturned to distant depo s in order to reprovi ion, and get fresh Kbfses, otherwise they would have secured more successes. The Italian and Austrian military attaches in South Africa declare that the outrages attributed to the British army are incredible. The Americans fully.-}, credit Earl Roberts’ denial. Some of the papers comment flippantly, alluding to Earl Roberts ns white-washing the army. The Times says that continuous wearing down processes ought to be maintained in Scnth Africa by keeping advance depots well supplied. More 'men ’aiid horses hire required, also light railways along the lines of the blockhouses. The Boera in the Eastern Trans vaal try to keep twenty-five miles ahead of the columns. The Government insist oh the concen’tration camps be'ih£ supplied with the best brands of imported food?, fresh vegetables daily and other luxuries which the civilian loyalists are unable td obtain. General Erasmus, recently captured; is presumably thh officer who commanded, the TransVaal Staats Artillery,- and cooperated with Eucas Meyer in the battld of TalanaHill in October, 1899. The Rev. Mr Askew, a popular Baptist minister of Liverpool, Was mobbed for preaching a pro-Boer sermon. Every window of his residence was smashed. Earl Roberts grants all members of colonial corps the volunteer long service medal and volunteer officers’ decoration. January 7.

Lord Kitchener denies that Intelligence Officers Steere and Kerr Were treacherously shot.

■General Elliott’s heed pursuit id covering seventy" miles in twenty four hours caused the dispersal of De Wet’4 force. Twenty of Ti iehard’s commando have surrendered at Middleburg. BCrCsford’s Constabulary captured id cedtral Grange Colony field cornet Lerotlx and eighty-four men. Field cornet Preforms and ten Boers wen* killed. New 5ToBk, January 6. Mr W. j. firyan, addressing a meeting of 4000 pro-Boers at Cleveland, Ohfdj said the war Was cosily, and had taught England a lesson. He Urged the Boers to persist in resistance, (SYDNEt, januftry 6. In Connection With the Opening o| tenders in London tor a year’s supplies for the army in South Africa-, Mr Bartoh communicated with Mr Chamberlain with a view to Australian interests receiving consideration. He pointed oaf that the Imperial Government would be tamch better served by Australian con= tractors direct than getting what purported to be Australian produce second-babd. January 7. Contingent 'catdpa ate being formed) andenfolment.is proceeding in the various States. Lork Kitchener asks that as many good trackers; as possible shall W included in the contingent. . Officers are \ showing a reluctance Id volunteering for the bontidgedt; OnS of the reasons given is that their action id intended asa protest against the with' holding of pay to previous contingents.