THE WAX.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7391, 18 February 1902, Page 2

THE WAX.

BOER DELEGATES GO TO AMEBICA. STORY OF A BRITISH REVERSE. Received February 17, 11.5 p.m. London, February 17. A sentry shot dead a Boer prisoner who was escaping from St Helena. Tho War Estimates provide for the army in South Africa to be maintained at full strength until November. Received February 18, 0.45 a.m. London, February 17. Tho Boor delegates, Wossels and Wohnarans, have suddenly sailed from Holland for Ainorica, to foster the movomont for American intervention in tho war. The Standard gives the following details of the Zuckerbosebrand reverse. The scene of the fight was between Elandsfontein and Vereeniging. The British force consisted of 320 men of the 28th Battalion of Mounted Infantry, mostly fresh from Home. Many had never fired a shot in action. They proceeded to Klip River to attack a supposed small force, whereas it proved there were 500 Boers under Commandant Grobelaur. Finding no Bigns of the enemy, Major Dowell abandoned the plain, leading his men in extended order up the hills, and leaving the horses behind under a guard. A sudden fusilade revealed the presence of the Boers. The British Bought cover and replied with a hot fire. Strong flanking parties tried i surround the British, moßt of whoHe horses had stampeded. The retreat was ordered, but before it could be executed the British were surrounded. A proportion of the men fought hard, while some scattered, trying to regain their I horses. Others ran afoot to the Klip River, pursued by the Boers. Major Dowell, Captain Sheldon, Lieutenants Dunbridge, Challenor, Le Marchant, and Hotell made a most gallant stand, and refused to surrender. They fought until all dropped, Major Dowell being killed and the rest wounded. Altogether, ten were killed and 54 wounded. The Boer losses were considerable. The British, on the 14th, expelled the Boers from Zuikerbosch, hotly pursuing them southward. Received February 18, 1.3 a.m. London, February 17. Lord Rosebery, in the course of his Liverpool speech, said that the deter* mination of the Government to negotiate only with the Boer leaders, who would be banished if they surrendered, stultified its professions. NINTH CONTINGENT. Auckland, February 18. It was originally intended that the North Island battalion should be despatched about the beginning of March, but owing to a difficulty in obtaining material for the manufacture of equipments it seems more than probable the departure will be delayed till about the middle of March. WESSELS BEING HOTLY CHASED. DE WET WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SURRENDER. Received February 18, 9.16 a.m. London, February 17. Commandant Wessels is retreating, hotly chased, through the Maraisburg district. Mrs De Wet is comfortably housed in a canvas cottage in Maritzburg camp. She states her husband would rather die than surrender, and that she would sooner bury him than see him surrender. She expressed a wish for a floored house like General Smith's wife. PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION IN MELBOURNE. Received February 18, 9.35 a.m. Melbourne, February 18. A patriotic demonstration was held in the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding. Resolutions moved the Right Hon. E. Barton (Federal Premier) and the Right Hon. G. H. Reid (Leader of the Opposition), and supported by the State Premier and Leader of the State Opposition, were carried, express* ing appreciation of the Imperial Government's policy regarding the war in South Africa and confidence in the humanity and valour of the people and soldiers of the Empire. The building was packed. The audience included many members of the Commonwealth, and prominent citizens. The speeches were strongly patriotic and denunciatory of the slanders of the Army. The proceedings were marked by much enthusiasm.