TOPIC:

Montreal Star, March 25th, 1900

London, March 20, - The Canadian Mounted Rifles command by Col. Herchimer, the Canadian Artillery, under Colonel Drury, and some of the English Imperial Yeomanry are now at Carnarvon, in Northern Cape Colony. The New Zealanders arrived at Vanwycks Vlei on Sunday from Carnarvon, they did not encounter the enemy.

There are some fresh details of the outbreak in the Carnarvon District, but no serious engagement has occurred. Vanwycks Vlei seems now to be the centre of the Boer movement, and a large force of them are in that neighbourhood. The presence of the Colonials and the Yeomanry has had an excellent effect.

General Kitchener has entered Prieska, Cape Colony, near Carnarvon, without opposition, the insurgents laying down their arms. This confirms the previous reports of their willingness to submit.

Carnarvon where the Second Canadian Contingent have arrived, is about 500 miles from Cape Town and 150 miles south of Kimberly. It is just south of De Aar, where it will be remembered the First Canadian Regiment was encamped for some days before proceeding to join Lord Methune's column at Belmont.

Carnarvon is in the Prieska district, northern Cape Colony where the rebels had been active, but where today's despatches indicate they are once more returning to their farms, and surrendering their arms to Lord Kitchener. The town itself contains a population of about 1000, and is the centre of a sheep raising district. A reservoir capable of holding 35,000,000,000 gallons is in the Carnarvon division, the construction of which the largest example of irrigation in the colony, only cost L 20,000. Indications of mineral oil having been found in the neighbourhood.

The climate of the Carnarvon district is said to be exceedingly healthful. Large nitrate and asbestos deposits have been found in the vicinity. Further irrigation works have been proposed at several points nearby and altogether the district is a fairly prosperous one.