THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11278, 20 May 1902, Page 5

THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT.

A LETTER FROM SF.RGT.-MAJOR CHARTERS.

Following are extracts from a letter received in Christohurch from Sergt.-Major Charters, of A Sqnadron. Ist New Zealand Regiment, Ist New Zealand Brigade: — Jack's Hill, Natal. Easter Tuesday, 1902. We left Newcastle camp at an "hour's notice hwt Thursday morning at 10.45 a.m., with horses and kits for Konigsberg, where we arrived at 3.30 p.m. (about 14 miles). There we camped for the night, that is, A, B, and C Squadrons, the South Islanders staying at Newcastle, while D Squadron were sent to hold Mnller's Pass*. At Konigsberg there is a big fort garrisoned by tfas Royal Artillery and 'Middlesex Regiment. At the fort there is a big naval 12-"ponnde<r off the H.M.S. Powerful as well as a blockhouse.. Next day, Good Friday (we didn't know it at the time), we received notice at a quarter to 3 to leare at 3 for Jack's Hill (12 miles). Needless to say, we had to bustle, but got away in good* time, i.e., A Squadron only. We readied Jack's Hill at about 7.30 p.m., having nassed a big blockhouse at Connaur/flt Post half way. At Jack's Hill we "are living in a big fort, consisting cir two big blockhouses, garrisoned by the Munster Fusiliers and Natal Polict. and surrounded by a wmgar of blocks of granite.

CABLE NEWS.

There is a big drive on in the Free State, and we are *o placed to stop the Boers coming through Normandien and Heckler's Passes, which are just opposite our fort. Every evening we send cut about 40 men to guard the passes, which are so precipitous that a few men can step hundreds. Th»n we have three post.s in crimp, and two other posts supplied by the Munrters and Imperial Yeomanry, 70 of th<? latter being encamped in Hanover Valley, between Normandien and Heckler's Passes. Lant night was a fearful night, something like the bad night we had in Newcastle, thunder, lightning, and rain galore. We got s&m-z stores from Konigsberg yesterday, so iire doing) pretty well." Last night we expected the Boers to try to break through, and were on the alert, but nothing came of it. However, we expect, them to try one night this we?k, that is why we are here. I dent know how* long we stay here, psrhaps a week, perhaps longer, as the I.Vs. are going hamo in a week cr two. We are garrisoning the fort, which entitles us to the Natal bar. If you want to know where we are. get a good map. and we aiv almost due" east from Yrede (0.R.C.), just over the Drakensb»rgs, at the foot of which we are encamped. The I.Y. corporal with mc was nne ot the few who escaped) death at Tweefontein, being captured by De Wet. De Wet at pnes-f-nfc Ls just near Collins's Pass, S.W. of us in the Free State, and just over the Berg from us, the Native scouts (splendid and reliable men) report two laager '-if Boers, so ir may expect some fun if they attempt to break through. The four Natal Police here are splendid fellows. At Konigssberg there is an immense electric searchlight, which reaches over 20 miles, end is turned en the Passes on the Berg every evening. Here we are connected by telephone with Konigsberg and Newcastle, and we also have a helio for signalling to the blockhouses. Up at Ncrmandien there is a large blockhouse al*o. We have a "Weekly Press" here of date, February 12th; needless to say, it whs rushed. The Minister Fusiliers are very funny here; talk about brogue, you could cut ib with a knife. Here we are back at Konigeberg, having left Jack's Hill at 8 this morning. Th-e big drive finished yesterday, and was a total failure. Although the Boers seemed to be completely hemmed in, they escaped with 40 casualties, and the wounded Boers are being -brought in here now. No British were killed, I believe. On Friday evening the skipper let mc take out four men and hold a pass. It was dark as pitch, and raining like the deuce. It's' not a nice game, the night work, but lucidly far us to Boers came. It is becoming very cold at nights now, and tha dry season is approaching). Most of the men are in good: health, and are becoming acclimatised splendidly.