The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 180, 20 March 1902, Page 4

The Transvaal.

London, Mnrch 16: Colonel Parks’ mounted column captured two laagers and twenty-five Boera north of Middlesburg, as the outcome of several long night marches.

The Natal Treason Court has completed its sittings, and has tried five hundred Natal rebds- The aggregate fines amounted to £32,000. The courtsmartial will deal with further cases of treason. Arrangements which are progressing indicate that the 21st Lancers and the 11th Hu.-sars will accompany 0000 Yeomanry who are Tailing for South Africa in April. March 17. Lord Methuen reports that the rear screen of mounted infantry to his column was rushed and overwhelmed at dawn. "The ox and mule convoys were then one mile apart. While they were closing up without disorder, the rear screen, which was reinforced with all the avail 1 able mounted men and a section of the 18th Battery, maintained its position for one hour.

Meanwhile 200 of the infantry were being disposed as to resist an attempt to outflank the left of the rearguard. The Boers pressed the attack hard.

The mounted , men in attempting to fall back upon the infantry got completely out of hand, carrying with them in their rout the bulk of the remaining mounted men.

Two guns of the 38th Battery were le't unprotected, but continued in action until every one excepting Lieutenant Nesham was hit. When called upon to surrender he refused and was killed.

Lord Methuen, with 200 of the Northumberland Fusiliers and two guns of the 4th Battery, though isolated, fought on for three hours.

One hundred of the North Lancashires, with 40 Cape Police, occupied a kraal near the waggons, repelling all the attacks. When Lord Methuen was wounded, the casualties becoming e:cce; dingly heavy, and the ammunition mostly expended, the Northumberland Fusiliers surrendered at 9.30, the party in the kraal resisting until 10 o’clock, when two guns and pompoms rendered their position untenable.

Most of the Boers were clad in khaki, many wearing the British badge of rank, which was uudislinguishable from the British, even at close quarters.

Lord Methuen’s report states that the infantry and artillery fought well. A few parties of the Imperial Yeomanry and Cape ' Police continued to resist after the panic had swept the bulk of the mounted men off the battlefield.

Th(v recent loss of two convoys in northwest Cape Colony is deaying operations against Commandant Maritz.

The Daily Mail states that Lord Methuen was about to ride a distance to rally the mounted men when he rec ;ived his wound, the bullet killing his horse.

De la Ley sent Lord Methuen to Klerksdorp in care of his nephew. Schalkburger bitterly opposed this, and sent a party, who brought Lord Methuen back, De la Key persisted in liberating Lord Methuen, and overbore

opposition. Steyn and De Wet are at Parys, Wes Vereeniging. Lord Roberts has written to his correspondents, stating that there is not the slightest cause for uneasiness with regard to affairs in South Africa, nor any reason to suppose that the war will be prolonged by recent events. March 18, The Standard, describing Lord Methuen’s capture, states that the Boors formed fiye lines and galloped straight at the rearguard. They wore first sighted four miles off.

The Imperial Yeomanry and Asbburham’s Horne opened fire at 1400 yards The Boers replied heavily, while charging with splendid courage. Their wingi t ried to encircle the rearguard. The

Diamond Fields Horse and Scouts helped ■o check the charge undl the Boers, needless of the hot fire, made a desperate rush, fairly stampeding the mounted men, who fled in blind panic. Ihe mprotected artillery”' fired coolly and steadily until all were shot.

Meanwhile, the infantry and a section of the 4th Battery kept the Boers front attacking the right flank. At a distance of 600 yards the Boers finally dismounted aud lay down.

Lord Methuen failing to collect the mounted men, galloped back to the gunt encouraging the gunners with voice and jesture. He was a conspicuous target for the concentrated Boer fire. His horse was hit in three places.

One by one the gunners fell, until Commandant Colliers shelled the kraal, when surrender was inevitable.

The troopship Manchester Merchant has arrived at Durban with detach* ments of the Commonwealth Contingent on board. Within one month 10,000 troops leave England for South Africa. Home, March 17. Tno Italian Minister of War has refused to intervene in South Africa, and emphasisled the cordial relations between Ila y and Britain. He flatteringly referred to Mr Chamt Iberlain’s aC'ion iu the Malta language difficulty. Melbourne, March 17. The Federal Minister of Defence itateq that he has not considered the question of following the lead of the Premier of i New Zealand in offering more troops. I The Minister is of opinion that the war i if practically over, and the men, now going ; will be able to finish it. If more men are wanted they will be sent.