WITH THE SECOND NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

Evening Star, Issue 11252, 28 May 1900, Page 4

WITH THE SECOND NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENT.

[From -Our Special Corrksi'Ondent, W. I D. Campbell.] , KENHARDT, April 5. Kenhardt, in the north-west of Cape Colony, is the “ultima thule” of our advance through rebel country. So far have /We come on a inarch which may be summed up in an even more laconic despatch than Cassar’s famous message to the Roman Senate—he came, saw, and conquered. We osrao and conquered without seeing. Cicsar’a men were doubtless more satisfied than our column (officially designated the Carnarvon Field Force), for they had a good run for their money. Oa the other hand, the results of this expedition, highly satisfactory as they have been, are not tangible enough to compensate the troops for a bloodless victory. The title ofquellirigthe rebellion in the north-west district of Cape Colony was regarded by the powers that be as a highly-important and most arduous duty. It was entrusted entirely to colonials, consisting of the New Zealand Mounted R-fies, West Australian Mounted Infantry, Canadian Mounted Rifles, and Royal Canadian Artillery. Tne Canadians before leaving Cape Town wore addressed by Sir Alfred Milner, who assured them that they had received a high honor in being font on this expedition. They would have difficult country io pass ihrough, the High Commissioner told them, many hardships to endure ou the march, anti would see a lot of fighting. iv.r Alfred’s prophecies have been verified, with the exception that wo have PERAMBULATED THE COUNTRY WITHOUT FIRING A SHOP. So much for the stamina of the rebels, of whom wo heard so much. I was assured in. Victoria WcV, that they were a most dangerous lot. They were said to rival the Boers themselves in the ability to dispense with commissariat and live on a strip of biltong, and, above all, they were reputed to be the most expert, marksman in Snub Africa. But report has add!y belied them. The one point in which tucy mav claim to surpass the Iransvaftlera is in their mobility. They fold up tluir tents I ke the Arabs (metaphorically speaking, for they have no tents) and silently steal away. Now that we have come right tin ought them, wc have ascertained the real reason of their valiant revolt. When they fir-t took up arms they never (■reamed for an instant that any troops would follow them. Tory wi t" quite convinced that it was an utter imp it-tibimy fur a column to march through this country. Hence they felt secure in banding together and harrving those who remained lovah I am enclosing an article written by Dr P (fillips, a rolug-e Lorn Upington, which shows the privations endured by loyalists, and the treatment meted out to them by these’ despicable marauders, who laid down their arms without the slightest attempt ut resistance to an armed force. Yet our column has done more than to put an end to these looting gangs, for it nipped in the bud Yvhat would undoubtedly have spread into a huge rebellion, extending right chtongh Calvmia and down to the Piarl distrie', which, in spite of its pr.xmnity to Cape Town, is a hotbed of disaffection. Had this it would have taken numbs to .dislodge the rebels from the mountains around the Paarl, and their presence would have been a most serious menace to the British lines of communiThe progress of the Carnarvon Field I‘area has eff-ctually disposed of what threatened to develop into a most dangerous outbreak. At present there seems little prospect, of any more trouble arising in this district for many years, so that in spite of their disappointment iyt getting no fighting our men may congratulate themselves ou having taken part in a highlv necessary operation, which was carried‘out in an expeditious and thorough manner. Daring the march the column have covered over 200 miles, and the New Zealand Contingent have been IN THE VAN THE WHOLE WAY. Major Cradock and his men have gained bign praise from Colonel Sir Cnarlea Parsons for the pert they have taken in the advance When it is remembered that the troop left- (he Wa-wera on February 25 aud entered K-mhardt on March 61, it will be seen that New Zealand has every reason to ho proud of her second contribution to the vast army now operating in .-South Africa. We have had the honor to be unde.-the command of Lord Kitchener, who personally directed the suppression of the rebellion, and who conducted another column from Do Aar to Prieska. The Carnarvon Field Force, of which we form part, is commanded by Colonel Sir Charles Parsons, who made hia reputation in the Soudan under Lord Kitchener, The column, until it reached Van Wyks Vlei, consisted of 1,200 mounted men, with twelve guns and two Maxim guns. At Van Wyks VJei it was considerable reduced, partly because it Was found that a force of this strength was unnecessary and partly from meteorological reasons. As I mentioned in my last letter, a downfall of rain occurred which was almost unprecedented in this part of the world, V an Wyks VJei prides itself on the possession of the largest dam in Cape Colony, It is a huge stone structure, blocking up a largo valley, which, us far as the eye can see, is now fuff of muddy water to a depth of 14pt. This, of course, was collected from a largo watershed, and the average depth of water on the ground, though considerablo, was not quite so alarming. Still, it was more than sufficient to stop the progress of the heavy transport waggons. Six inilefl from Van Wyks Vlei a river which, under the influence of the rain, had sprung up in the desert was running a banker, and this proved the Rubicon to that part of the Carnarvhn Field Force which had not crossed before ,the flood came down. Luckily the advapea party, under the command of Major Cradock, had moved off on the morning iff March 23, the day when tv ?an m »n.ff, Tho strength of this body was as follows N.Z.M.K.—141 officers and men, 147 horses 1 Maxim gun. ’ Canadian .Mounted Rifles.-150 officers and men l£o horses. Royal Canadian Rifles.-41 officers and men, 35 horses, 2 guns. Those, however, did not march together. I he bulk of the New Zealanders, under the command of Captain Hayhurst, accompanied by a Maxim gun belonging to and manned by the Canadians, but commanded by Lieutenant Bank?, went out by a sort of cross road. Major Cradock, with the rest of the force, moved on by the main road to Kenhardc, and the two forces were to surround a. rebel’s house on the second day’s march. As things turned out, the major was unable to keep his appointment, and Captain Hayhurst had to storm the position himself, only to find it empty. The operation, however, was carefully carried out, as the house stood in a strong position, surrounded by kopjes. The Maxim gun was got into position, and skirmishing parties were thrown all round the ridges. The rebel, however, had considered discretion ' the better part of valor, and had flown, leaving behind him a good supply of food for both horses and men. This was extremely fortunate, as Captain Hayhurst, relying on joining the main column, had taken no transport with him, and was in an absolutely destitute condition. After the excellent custom that now prevails here, he COMMANDEERED WHAT HE WANTED, and a few live pigs at the homestead furnished the men with the welcome luxury of. fresh pork. Tho buildings also provided - ample shelter for the men, who were thus in , a better condition than their comrades i with the major, who at the end of the first day'a march reached De Naaute, twentyfour miles distant from Van Wyks Vlei. , Here there waa very little house accommodation, and as there were not enongh tents to go round the-troopa experienced the dis- i comforta of a bivouac in heavy rain and on sodden ground. However, they made the best of a bad job, and kept up a cheery demeanor under moat dispiriting circum- i stances. Their difficulties were intensified ; when supplies ran short, and there was no i possibility of obtaining fresh stores from the I base at Van Wjks Vlei, owing to the impas- , sable river six miles from that village. This ; river was now an effectual barrier and had cut ; the column in two parts, the advance guard under Major Cradock, and the main body, under Colonel Drury, of tho Canadians. Colonel Drury was ordered to advance on i Kenhardt, and took bis force to tho banks of the river, where he camped for a few days. Meanwhile Colonel Parsons and hia

staff had left Van Wyks Vlei, and in pontine rain joined the advance guard. The colonel travelled as fari as Da Naaute in a light Cape cart— a two - wheeled gig with a hood, drawn by six horses, which managed to negotiate tho ford. An attempt was_ mado to push through supplies to Maj >t Cradock, and two waggons, each drawn by fourteen bullocks, left Van Wyks Vlei. Go arriving at the river, the teams were double-banked, and by dint of great exertions one waggon was got across. By this time, however, the advance guard had foraged for itself, and had made itself iudepandent, ■ as far as food was concerned, of the base. Colonel Parsons ha I also ascertained that he had enough troops across the river for his purpose, aod ordered Colonel Drurv to withdraw-his force eight miles to the Van Wyks Vlei dam. The waggon which had required such Herculean efforts was then brought back, and the Canadians and West Australians encamped at the dam. The weather did not clear up until March 26, but tho roads, of course, were impassable. They were allowed one day to dry, and Major Cradock resumed his march on March 27. That day’s advance was probably one pf the moat severe that has been accomplished by any troops during the present campaign. For a mile the road was submerged to a depthol 3ft, thebottom being thicklycovered with mud, and full of treacherous boles. Great difficulty was experienced in getting the transport waggons along at all. The nun had to dismount and shove them along by hand, everyone gotli. g frightfully sunburnt in the proces-f. From six o’clock in the morning till eight at night they toiled on, i n 1 after fourteen hours’ incessant wading they had progressed the distance of six miles. After this matters were not quite so bad, as the burning sun soon dried up much of Mi" waier, but even when the roads dried he, vy sand made travelling very difficult. Sir Goarles Parsons aud his staff left De N mule on March 28, and cnight up the column on March 30 at Laat River. Here we found tangible evidence that the rebels had bet-n about, aud al*>> discovered that the rniu had been a veritable blessing in disguise. MORE BOER TREACHERY. The wells at Last River had been poisoned by means of manure and by a bush resembling iu appearance the elder buffi. The name ot this means iu English ‘"Gertrude, do not tone i me, or you’ll slink,” The force had already done a long day’s journey on reaching Ltat R ver, but on finding the wells poisoned had to mirch on again six miles to Reitfontein. Here 100 the wells were poisoned, but fortunately rain water was found tn the river. Hud it not been for the ram the column would have had to march on roads heavy with sand forty miles without water, on account of these poisoned This march might have been possible for the horses, but the transport could not have manag'd it; thus the rain, although it delayed the column for five days, was really iissalvation, as hut for the downpour the force could cot have ad vanced at ail. Besides poisoning the well at Laab River, the rebels had done great datings by breaking the cog wheel aud little buckets. The result, as may be imagined, in a country so dependent for its water supply on wells, is tuioation to tho district for some time. .The man who is eai.l to bo responsible for this damage is J. P. Borruis, a Tronsvaalor. Ou March 30 Kenhardt waa reconnoitred by officers’ patrols, Next day au advanced party of twenty-four men, half New Zealanders and halt Canadians, under Major Aston, occupied Kenhardt withoubopposition. Major A(ton was closely followed by Sir LhurlesParsons, who occupied the magistracy. Llio remainder of the troopi entered the name afternoon, and then e,imped outside the town. A few women provided them with otlt.ie, but in spite of this hospitality THEIR LOYALTY IS NOT ABOVE SUSPICION. When-the advance party entered Kenhardt not a soul was to be seen except an old Englishwoman, who, thrusting her head out of a window, fcreamod as a welcome : " God bless the English.” Ou April 1, at S a.m., Union Jack was hoisted formally by Major Aston, at the command of Sir Charles Parsons, before the paraded troops, Tte troops were engaged for the next few days in bringing in rebels from their farms. The examination of the ringleaders was conducted by Sir Citatlss Parsons and Captain C.ttrey, nf toe Intelligence Department. Captain G-firey has bean engaged for the last month in a oareiul investigation of the behaviour of residents in this district, and hia accurate knowledge of their antecedents came as an unpleasant shock to many of thc-ae good people. The men all pleaded that luey had been led away by others, and this plea was urged especially by those who had taken a leading part in the rebellion. They also said they- were ignorant men, though they had occupied high positions in K-nhardt district, where they had resided tor many years. Severe! even sobbed like children daring their examination, so that the bravery ot this type of' Boer does not impress one on a close acquaintance. As‘Hudibras’ has it: “lb ill becomes a nation when thev see the tears of bearded men.” The rebels were imprisoned, pending farther investigation, and five are to b» brought down by our column. To-day the garrison of Kenhardt was relieved by a company of Gloucester Mounted Infantry under the command of Captain Davis, of the Bengal Lancers, and two guns of the Australian Artillery. Major Cradock left Kenhardt on the morning of April 6, with orders to proceed to De Aar, and thence probably to the front. This announcement was loudly cheered by all tanks, as they hardly felt tho necessity of coming thonsanos of miles to meet enemies who laid down their arms and sobbed. VAN WYKS VLEI, April 9, After a hurried march our column has returned to Van Wyks Vlei, which, before our arrival, was held by four New Zealanders, with Veterinary Sanderson as camp commandant. Colonel Drury, with the Canadians and West Australians, remained in Camp at the (km until April 4, when he received orders to march by way of Carnarvon and BriUtown to De Aar. During the camp at the dam an unfortunate accident occurred resulting in the death of a Canadian gunner named Bradley. He was watering horses, when the animal he was riding got into a deep hole in the dam. Bradley was unable to swim, and sink in the muddy water, where it was impossible to see him. A West Australian dived several tutus, and succeeded in rescuing him in au unconscious state. Efforts to restore breathing proved successful, and Bradley was thought to be on the high way to a complete recovery, when he was seized with pneumonia and’ rlterl. Lieutenant Sanderson sent a section under Sergeant Kelsall to represent New Zealand at his funeral, which, unhappily, was the forerunner of a similar sad ceremony over one of our own nun. We had several men in hospital at Van Wyks Vlei, most of them suffering from dysentery. They were fortunate in being attended to by a fellowcountryman (Dr Phillips), who is a native of Auckland. The doctor is in practice at Upington, on the Orange River, bub was forced to leave, and came south in a bullock waggon along with other refugees from Upington. DEATH AND BURIAL OF TROOPER HEMPTON. On arrival here he offered his services to Major Cradock, who declined them; but when fvr Charles Parsons arrived next day he asked Dr Phillips to remain at Van Wj ks Vlei in charge of too .advance base hospnal. Our sick men, therefore, received the closest attention from a compatriot, but all the doctoi’s skill was powerless to save one whose strength was sapped away by disease. Trooper Hemptou’j case waa recognised as extremely serious, bub he never allowed himself to become despondent, and as his bodily strength rose and fell his spirits never wavered. Whatever could bs dona for him in a place where the slightest delicacy waa unobtainable was done at once, but in vain. After lying in a very low state for some days he seemed to rally on April 3, but it waa only tho last A cker before the feeble spark was extinguished in the weakened frame. Early ou the morning of April 4 he died. The main column started that day for Carnarvon, but the chaplain of the Canadian forces, the Rev. W." J. Cox, remained behind to conduct the burial service. It was decided to bury Trooper Hempton ■ beside his Canadian comrade oa the rocky side, of a kopjs by the dam. The coffin was carried * on a small cart drawn by two mules. A firing party of twelve nvsn underSergeantKelsall inarched with reverted

arms i ' front, and the remainder of the New Zealanders left in camp, with Dr Phillips and a sergeant-major in the Cape service, came behind. Over the grave the usual three volleys were fired, Bugler Goldstoue sounding the “first post,” “ last post,” between the volleys, and closing the inpieinva ceremony with “lights out. ” This call, always a solemn one when sounded over a grave, gains added pathos when it is the farewell of a colonial troop to a comrade who sleeps so far from his native land. The graveyard of these citizen soldiers will constitute a lasting memorial of the Boer war in a retired district, The stones have been cleared away and piled up to form a circular fence, while a smooth pathway leads up to it. The Canadians hive placed an engraved stone over their comrade, and at the of the New Zeanndor’s grave is a cross, with the inscription “In memory of Tro-per T. Hempton, N.Z.M.T., died April 4,1900.” An Englishman who lives close by has promised to preserve the graves from neglect. So we leave these Britishers from widely separated lauds sleeping side by side beneath the African sun.