Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1885-05-16 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

EXPEDITION. (From the Daily Chronicle Correspondent.) MORITLANI Await, March 30 (received May 9). The copious rains which have fallen all over this part of the country have worked a wonderful change in its general appearance. What was a month ago a dry, sandy, expanse of veldt, almost devoid of signs of vegetation, now bears a charmingly verdant appearance, the scenery in some places being strongly suggestive of the Devonshire pastures; but distance lends enchantment to the view, and our pleasant illusion is soon dispelled on a closer inspection, as the mimosa bushes are neither beautiful nor agreeable at close quarters, to which fact many of our tattered garments bear silent witness. Our horses have greatly benefited by the Eine grazing here, and are now in capital trim. Sir Charles Warren has been favourably received everywhere along the road, and, in spite of the endeavours of Mr. Rhodes to divert public opinion, both English and Dutch appear to have every faith in Sir Charles's integrity and sense of justice. All those returned at the Vrijburg elections are loyal, which in itself says a great deal; and there is no doubt that the firm and straightforward attitude which Sir C. Warren has adopted towards everyone with whom he has been brought in contact has done much towards bringing about this gratifying result. Sir Bartle Frere—a name highly respected, 1 might say revered, in the colony—has also met with a most cordial reception from everyone. As you are doubtless aware the body of poor Mr. Bethel was exhumed, and reinterred at Mafeking, on the 14th. His remains were followed by Sir Charles Warren and staff, the 6th Dragoons, two batteries of artillery, Carrington's Horse, and the mounted company of the Pioneer Corps. The chief mourners were the two brothers of Mr. Bethell. All. the male natives followed, and hundreds of women lined the road. It is rumoured that 700 men are being enrolled in the Transvaal and Free State, who are pledged to endeavour to prevent the arrest of the two men accused of being the murderers of Mr. Bethel, but all such statements must be received with great caution. Montsioa has at last returned to his town (Mafeking), amid the congratulations of his subjects. He was escorted by a troop of Carrington's Horse. It is not correct that Sir Charles found Root Grond deserted; many houses were occupied, and all the male inhabitants presented an address to the General, welcoming him, and expressing a hope that they might be allowed to retain possession of their farms. They stated that most of them came from the Transvaal, but some came from the Free State, and that they were enrolled by Cloy von Pittens, at Fort William, to fight under Moshette against Montsioa. They were eventually given land by Moshette, and declared that they considered their claims had been verified by Mr. Upington, who assured them that if they gave up 10 farms to Montsioa, as well as the 10 farms awarded him by Joubert when peace was made, that they should retain possession of the land they then occupied. The General told them their cases should be considered by Mr. Wright, the Assistant Commissioner that they might remain in Rooi Grond; but they must not wander about all over the country until a settlement had been made. I have just heard that a number of men have been seen in the neighbourhood of Vrijburg, who, it is stated, Intend to attempt the rescue of Niekerk at an early date. It is expected that a number of troops will immediately move down country.