"BANJO” PATERSON’S LECTURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 3, 4 January 1901, Page 3

"BANJO” PATERSON’S LECTURES.

A POPULAR LECTURER,

Mu “Banjo” Paterson, the well-known lecturer ami war correspondent, opened his soason in Gisborne last night to a veiy tall house. The lecturer comes before New Zealanders with the advantage ot being well known through his hook of Australian versos, “ Tho Mail From Snowy River,” and many were anxious to hear what the writer of those vivid and descriptive verses had to say about tho war. Tho lecture opened with a brief outline of the reasons for tho stubborn position taken up by the Boers in regard to nil English demands, and Mr Paterson explained that so far from being a race o£ ignorant suvftgas, the Boevs were men of considerable intelligence, living comfortable lives, and that their whole history had been constant lighting with tho natives, and that these men—brave, resolute, and independent —were really very serious enemies to face. Great Britain's task in the Boer War was not an easy one. The lecturer went on to describe how tho War Office opened the war by sending over Goncral Buller with instructions to relievo Ladysmith at all hazards, thereby forcing that General to begin the campaign by lighting tho Boers on ground of their own choosing. Tho result of this forcing of Boiler's hand was that his advance was checked, and Lord Roberts was sent out to supersede him. Lord Roberts insisted on having a free hand to act as lie thought best, and it was while ho was preparing his plans for this attack that the Australians and New Zealanders began to arrive at the front. At lirst tho English ollioova were not inclined to trust much responsibility to tho hands of these raw, undisciplined volunteers, but as tho colonies had sent them over it was decided that tlioy should bo tried, and tho trial fell on tho New South Wales Lancers and New Zealand Mounted Rifles. (Applause). Tho lecturer went on to describe how the Now Zealanders proved their worth in the first engagement they wore concerned_ in. They were cut off with General French in a farmhouse, and displayed that discipline and steadiness under hot firo that tho General wrote oil to Lord Roberts a despatch expressing his admiration ot their conduct. They also showed their adaptability to outdoor work and to campaigning in other ways, and the lecturer's account of how they astonished tho Army by their skill as fencers when making wire entanglements was received with roars of laughter. Mr Paterson also described with much humor how the English infantry wero hastily converted into mounted infantry, and showed how tho unfortunate soldiers camo to look on riding as tho hardest work they had to do. A description of how the sovero work of the campaign always was done by tho English infantry was received with great enthusiasm, and all through the lecture the audience listened with rapt attention to every word of the discourse. A vivid account of tho capture of Cronjo showed the audience how the great Boev leader was out-mancouvred by Lord Roberts, and the description of tho removal of the wounded and suffering soldiers was evidently keenly appreciated by the audience. In the second part of tho lecture Mr Paterson gavo many very interesting details regarding the clashing Boev leader Do Wet. Mr Paterson was once in X)e Wet's laager, so what ho has to say on the subject bears tho imprint of first-hand knowledge. To night Mr Paterson lectures on the British Army, and as he had the fortune to meet all tho leading Generals, what he lias to say on tho subject should bo worth heaving. At the end of last night’s lecture a large number of excellent slides and biograph pictures were shown, the operator being Mr George Mitchell, and theso views and slides were very rauoh applauded. A new lot of views and slides will bo shown to-nigbt.