The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 168, 20 February 1902, Page 1

The Transvaal.

London, February 17

Commandant Kemp’s bodyguard, whh are prisoners, stated that Do la issued orders to avoid large bodies c (t "British. They also state that ammurfhtion in the Boer ranks is scarce.

•Lord Bos-'b.’ry, in the Course of hi'a Liverpool speech, said that the determirr«*ion to negotiate only with the 80t,4‘ leaders who would, bo banialied if thejr surrendered stultified the-Government. -■

A sentry shot dead a Boer -prisoner foi escaping from St. H-loha. The War Estimates provide that thh army iu 'icai'n Afiica shall be maintained at lull strength u-it.il November. The Boer Wusssls and WolinaruifS, have suddenly -sailed from Hoiland for America, to footer the moverment of American interreatioit.

The Stamlarl gives the following details'of the Zuckerbosebrand reverses The scene of the fight was between ElandHionteiu and Vereeniging. Thd British force consisted of 320 men, tbft 28th battalion of mounted infantry, mostly fresh from. Home, many of whoth had never fired a shot in action. Thojr proceeded to Klip river*' to attack a supposed small fo ce, whereas it proved to be 500 under Commandant Grobelaap.

Finning no signs of the enemy, Majoi’ Dowell abandoned the plain, landing hi l ) men in extended order up the hills, and leaving the ho s s behind under guard. A sudden fusilacffi reve iled the presence of the Boors. The British sought covers and 'replitd with t hot lire. Strong flanking parlies tried to surround th 4 British, most. of whose horses stampeded. The retreat was ordered, but before it could be executed tfto British werd surrounded. A proportion of the meft fought hard ; some scattered, trying regain their horses ; others ran on foo'B to the Klip river, pursued by the Boerat Major Dowell, Captain Sheldon, Lieuten* ants Dunbridge, Challenor, and Btotell made a most g dlant standi They refused to surrender, and fought until all dropped. Major Dowell waS killed and the rest wounded. Altogethef

lOweie killed and 64 wounded, Thi Boer losses weie considerable.

The British Remount Dapaufment seni agents to Rusda to buy horses. Th£ mission was a fiasco. Districts werA found abounding in good horses, whieft. were earmarked for Russia’s use.

February 18. Lord Kitchener’s weekly report showk that 17 Boers were killed and fivA wounded ; -that 107 had ’been take* prisoners and 138 had surrendered ; and that 4500 cattle had been captured. It is officially announced that Pretoria remains the seat of Government for tb# Tr msv.ial colony. Out of 114,470 persons in the Boer concentration camps in January, 169 587 women, and 1049 children died, thA lowest average since July last. A commi'tue of women under Mrs Fawcett* widow of the Bight Hon. Henry which was appointed by the Governmehl in July to inquire into the condition o$ the camps, has recommended thal increased comfcrta and precautions hi provided. Lord Milner has agreed to carry out the recommendations regardlesk of cost. Sydney, February 18. The Federal Coniiugent embarked to-day. There was no pub ic dernonstra’ tion, us arrangements for the piocessid i were cancelled at the last moment. During the march to the v/harf a horfii which Trooper Grey was leading bolted-. The halter attached to it was twistf'd round Grey’s wrist; he was dragged fo? some I'istauce, and died from the injuries he received.