A BRAVE NEW ZEALANDER.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11279, 21 May 1902, Page 7

A BRAVE NEW ZEALANDER.

HOW SEROEANT-MAJOR SMITH DIED.

Further particulars are to hand (says the Wellington "Post") of tbe manner in which Sergeaait-Majbr Smith, of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent, son of the late Captain John Smith, of Wellington, and brother of Mr J. E. Smith, of the Treasury, met his death. It will be remembered that Sergeant-Major Smith had been designated for a commission in the Eighth Contingent shortly before his death, and he did ___t live to learn of the fact. The Job__m__bu_£ "Star," in a description of the fight which Plumer's column had with tbe enemy on st_t January, says:—-At dawn on the 3rd, Plumer hastened on to tbe high ground east ot A__er_foort, and, next day, he divided his force into — T-c»l_J_it-__g , party, so as to locate and __ce_tain the «tr_Mth of the enemy. At _ o'clock in the afternoon 150 New" ____a__fe-s, north c_ the farm, Nooi_ged_c_±, came in touch with Botha's rearguard, and a smart skirmish ensued round the farm, well protected by trees. The New Zealand scouts, hurried forward, and Captain Jones made a dash, when he thought tbe opportunity faniured him, towards the farm. From his position, however, he could see that the Boers were situated there in overwhelming numbers, and although Lieut. Mitehei. came ga*lamtly to bra _s___a_cc. the result of the fight was that Lieut. Mitchell and three

CABiE NEWS.

of bis men were wounded; while Ser-geant-Major Smith, of the A Squad..n, refusing to s-urrender, was shot dead by the Bosrs at _____ paces. This brave warrant officer had always said he would never surrender to any Boer. On being requested to yield, he replied thaL he -had "not come to South Africa to put his hands up to any Dut_i___o." Writing to __rs Smith from Wakker-st-ocm, Tr_n_va_l, on Bth January, Captain __jostynJone_, ol the Sixth Contingent, say.:—"Dear Madam,—You wil! long before you get this have received the sad news of your son's death. But I feel sure you will like to hear of the 'heroic way ia which he gave his life for his King and fatherland. He h_d been sent out with despatches to an outlying troop, which was cluw-ged by 200 Boers. He fought to the end, _bsol_telyre. using to surrender; and died a soldier's death —the admiTataon of all. We buried him on tbe battle-field, beneath the shade of some trees near Modderfontein farm, about 20 miles north of Wakkerstroom. Allow mc to assure you of the sympathy of _H his comrades, and you may rest, assured that all in our: power will be done to protect the spot where he lies, and' to erect a suitable-_e___-one." In a letter received by Mr B. M. Wilson, his brother .ii-law, Private Parsons says:—-"We got back home after burying Sid. Smith. He died game, as he would not _urre__ler, but pulled out his revolver and. startedfiring at ten yards. He was shot through the throat."