Transcribed by Emily Smith. Geo. The Northern News With Which Are Amalgamated The HALTWHISTLE and ALSTON NEWS and NORTH CUMBERLAND REFORMER No. 514 —Vol. XI. Saturday, January 6, 1900 OPERATIONS IN NATAL. THE BOER SUPPLIES. [Press Association War Special.] Frere Camp, Wednesday, 6-20 p.m. A Boer was captured today by the outposts of the Irish Fusihers. He was dressed in a khaki uniform, having the crossed guns of a marksman on the left arm, presumably one of our men's uniforms. The prisoner, who was about twenty years of age, looked like a Natal Dutchman. The Boer horses are reported to be suffering from horse sickness. All their animals are poor and nearly all have sore backs. The Germans and Hollanders who intended to remain at Johannesburg have been forced to go to the front. The Boer commissariat is falling short. They have no sugar and but small supplies of tea and coffee. The native feeling in the Transvaal is in favour of the British. The enemy have not been inactive. They have heavily bombarded Ladysmtih from all positions. THORNEYCORFT'S Horse, while reconnoitring towards Springfield, saw a large force of the enemy, shots were exchanged and the enemy continued to fire at the patrol as it retired until it was within sight of the camp. Frere Camp, Wednesday, 9 p.m. THORNEYCORFT'S patrol found the enemy in some force at the little Tugela Bridge. The presence of the Boers was discovered by our scouts. It is reported that a lieutenant and five men have not returned. A native leader who deserted from the Boer lines stated that our naval guns completely destroyed a large piece of Boer cannon at Colenso a few days ago. He confirms the report that the Boers are running short of food. The Johannesburg contingent, he says, is commanded by Ben VILJOEN. The natives, be further declares, have no sympathy with the Boars, and the Zulus would have fought if Mr. CHAMBERLAIN had not prevented them. The Boer commandants, it appears from his accounts, are constantly expressing the opinion that they will prevent our advance. -- Emily Smith