MISCELLANEOUS.
"The Zulus have lately pitched some of the tents taken from Isandlwana just opposite Krantzkop, about half-way down the Tugela borders. Flannel nosebag, as respirators for the prevention of horse-sickness, are to be issued for the cavalry horses lately arrived in Natal from England. This will be in addition to the regulation feeding-bag. The flannel respirator is usually considered a most efficacious preventive, but it is comforting to know that the season for horse-sickness is now rapidly drawing towards its conclusion. In the defence of the Kambula camp, 135.000 rounds of Martini-Henry ammunition were expended, and the artillery requisition was as follows :—l2oz. cartridges, 359,'; 4oz. cartridges. 1 fuses, 5 seconds, 198 rounds; fuses, 9 seconds, 66; percussion fuse, 107 percussion sensitively, 1; common shell, 148 shrapnel shell 222 section tubes, copper, 57 rockets, 30; case shot, 19 double shell 1. From a private correspondence, a Free State paper learns that the Dutch fleet, which was to have called at the Cape, has, for political reasons, received orders to alter its course, and visit the Brazilian coast instead. It is rumoured that, pending the excitement which at present exists among the Dutch-Afrikaner population, the British Government has requested the Dutch authorities not to show the Dutch tricolour at the Cape. It would be interesting to learn whether this is the identical fleet against the descent of which Catewayo had, some months ago, an assurance from the High Commissioner that the British ships cruising along the Zulu coast were strong enough to protect him. The Cape Argus, of April 23, says :—"in ready response to a telegram, forwarded to him yesterday, at Port Elizabeth, the Rev. Charles Clark has kindly promised to preach a sermon on Sunday evening, in aid of the Natal Relief Fund. He leaves in the Pretoria, for England. The greater part of the troops that were at Ekowe are said to be so enfeebled by disease that competent medical authorities doubt if they will be ever fit for active service again. The Free Slate Friend says four compassionate ladies left for the scene of hostilities, on the borders of Natal. The good Samaritans are the Mother Superior, Miss Langland’s, Sister Louisa, and Miss Potts." By an arrangement with the Secretary of State for War, four Wesleyan ministers are to be attached to the British forces now operating against the Zulus. The Rev. Woolmer entered upon his duties as chaplain to the Wesleyan soldiers on the 13th February, and was in Colonel Wood's camp, in the engagement of the 29th of March. The Rev. Mr Wilkins, of Graham's Town, joined the force at the Lower Tugela on the 14th ult, and the Queen's Town district has despatched the Rev. G. Weaver, of Mount Arthur, on the same duty. One will yet be furnished by the Bloemfontein district, and instructions have been received that a minister should be sent from the Western districts if a fifth chaplain should be required. General Crealock has been appointed political agent in the south-east of Zululand. The War Office has sent a balloon to this country to be used in the Zulu war. Some of the French missionaries in Basutoland are openly advising the people that if their guns are demanded they ought to fight for them. Attempts have been made to cause the natives in the Blocmhof district to turn against the Government, by telling them they are to be disarmed. Captain Surmon, of the Cape Mounted Rifles, died of the wounds received in the action at Morosi's Mountain. The deceased joined the Frontier Armed and Mounted Police at the formation of that corps. He was nearly twenty-four years in the service. The majority of the elders of the Dutch Reformed Church, at Pretoria, declined to allow the Rev. Mr Stegmann to preach in that place of worship, because he was in the suite of the High Commissioner. Major Brown, of Lonsdale's Regiment, has had a meeting in Alice with the Fingoes. The Major explained to the Fingoes that he would be glad to get a number of them to go with him for service against the Zulus, and also stated fully their duties, pay, &c. Not a man offered his services. The death-roll amongst the military officers now serving in Natal has received three additional names, three good men, of whom the least valuable can be ill-spared. The Hon. Rudolf Gougb, third son of Viscount Gough, formerly of the Cold stream Guards, and late of the Natal Native Contingent, has succumbed to an attack of diarrhoea. He was invalided in the beginning of March, and went to Durban to recruit. In defiance of professional advice, he insisted upon re-joining his regiment to take part in the relief of Ekowe, and he has paid with his life .the forfeit of too much hardihood. It is sufficient praise to say of him. that he was well worthy of the distinguished name he bore. Lieutenant Alderton, of the Army Service Corps, on special transport service, has left his life while crossing one of the flooded rivers op country when returning to Natal from the Free State, whither he had been to purchase horses. The death is also announced of Assistant-Commissary S. T. Philimore, of the Ordnance Store Department. The Zulu War Relief Fund now amounts to over £5000, which has been all collected in the colony".
New Zealand Herald >
25 June 1879 >
Page 6 >
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