The Boer War.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 12, 16 January 1901, Page 4

The Boer War.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LondoD, Jan 14,

Further particulars relate that Boers wearing khaki and British bandoliers surprised a sentry at Zunofontein and got within seven yards of the trenches before they were identified. Their leader was unhorsed, but crawled back, and was shot dead as he rose. He proved to be a member of the State Yolksraad.

One hundred and fifty Britishers with the utmost gallantly repelled one thousand of the enemy. Lieutenant Freeman, with ninety of the Cheshire Mounted Infantry and a few details, were entrenched at Kaalfontein, and came off scathless. Eight hundred Boers, with two guns, vainly shelled their position, and made repeated attempts to rush the trenches, but were splendidly repelled, with heavy losses. An explosion of dynamite killed eight and wounded Commandant Haasbrock's wife while travelling in a waggon between Doornberg and Ventersburg.

In regard to a letter from Mr Longdill, which appeared in Saturday’s Times, a correspondent forwards a note of Lord Boberts’ proclamation, and expresses a hope that it will have Mr Longdill’s consideration. The proclamation is as follows: —“ As there appears to be some misunderstanding as regards the burning of farms, the Com-mander-in-Chief wishes the following to be the lines upon which general officers commanding are to act: No farm is to be burned except for an act of treachery, or when our troops are fired on from the premises, or as punishment for the breaking of the telegraph or railway, or when used as bases of operations for raids, and then only with the direct consent of the general officer commanding.; . The mere fact that a burgher is absent on commando is on no account to be used as a reason for burning houses. All cattle, waggons, and food stuffs are to be removed from all farms. If that is impossible they are to be destroyed, whether the owner is present or not.”