NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE news from South Africa is not pleasant; it never is. Sir G. Coley, with the relics of his force, encamped on Pro- spect Hill, between Laing's Neck, where the troops were repulsed, and Newcastle, awaited reinforcements. Needing supplies, however, a heavy convoy was ordered from Newcastle, and the Boors, who hear everything from their countrymen, resolved to cut this off. The convoy was detained by news of their pre- Bence, and on the 8th inst. Sir G. Colley endeavoured to clear the road. He crossed the Ingogo, the river between him and Newcastle, and seized a plateau, where ho was attacked by the Boers, who kept up a series of assaults for nearly six hours. 'Though he had not 500 men with him, the force fought most gallantly, and repulsed the enemy, it is believed with consider- able slaughter ; but they themselves lost 150 men killed and wounded, a most unusual proportion. Sir G. Colley fell back on his camp, not having cleared the road, and leaving the Boers practically successful. They might have captured his ambulance train, with the wounded, but allowed them to go to Newcastle. Sir G. Colley must now await reinforcements, which should arrive in a few days,—Tuesday at latest ; but he is strongly posted, and there is no clear evidence that he is short of provisions.
