§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that a regiment is to be sent to reinforce the troops in Zululand; and, whether he can give any information as to the strength of Her Majesty's forces in that country and Natal?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe 2nd South Lancashire Regiment, 620 strong, will embark for Natal on the 26th instant, but not necessarily, as the Question implies, for Zululand, and drafts of 337 men are also under orders for Natal at the same time. By the last official Returns the forces in Natal were, in round numbers, 1,300, and in Zululand—that is in the Reserve Territory—500, principally Cavalry; but since the date of that Return a battery of Royal Artillery, of 81 men, and a company of Royal Engineers, of 60 men, had proceeded from Cape Colony to Natal, and it is understood that the General Officer in command has also ordered 300 men of the Northampton Regiment to Natal. As to the distribution at the present moment of the troops between Natal and the Zulu Reserve, we have no accurate information beyond what was contained in a telegram from the Governor of Natal, in which he informed us that the General had been into the Reserve, and had determined to increase the force there to 800 men, of whom 200 are to be with Mr. Osborne, the Resident.
§ MR. O'DONNELLasked whether instructions had been given to the Commanders of British troops in the Reserve to oppose by force of arms the in- 1242 vasions by which the Boer contingent were now operating in Zululand?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYA General Commanding British Forces is in the habit of resisting all invaders, whether Boers or others.