ATTACK ON WESSELS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7382, 7 February 1902, Page 2

ATTACK ON WESSELS.

Received February 7, 0.55 a.m.

London, February 6. Colonel Byng specially mentions for gallantry New Zealanders in the South African Light Horse in the attack on Wessels' forces. The killed include Cornet Wessels, and among theprisoners is Captain Muller. of the Staats Artillery, Many cattle were captured. Byng's casualties were slight. The National Scouts captured thirteen Boers at Middleburg, and Major-General Plumer seven at Amerspoort. Colonel Gilbert Hamilton, after a long pursuit, drove the Beers from the blockhouse line, capturing thirty-two.

BOER PRISONERS FOR THE

CHATHAMS.

Christchubch, February 6. An adjourned meeting of members of Parliament and others interested was held re the question of using tbe Chatham Islands as a depot for Boer prisoners. A letter signed by 26 settlers was read expressing a favourable feeling towards receiving Boers, and a similar letter was received from other parts of tbe islands. In discussion it was stated that 10,000 acres were under offer to the New Zealand Government, which at present owned only 18 acres at the Chatham Islands, capable of producing abundant food, and only tea, sugar, and other stores required to be imported. Wood was also required, and barracks would have to be built. One speaker said there was room for 3000 prisoners, but others reckoned on a basis of 1000, and said it was necessary to keep 500 men and others to act ■as guard, besides a man-of-war on the adjacent coast. Major Steward, Mr Or. Laurenson, M's.H.R., and Messrs Chudleigh and Arban were appointed to wait on the Premier during bis visit to Christchurch, and bring the matter before him.