WITH THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12478, 18 April 1901, Page 5

WITH THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.

- -(By'(FRANK WILKIN.) KOEKEMOER, mcar- KLER-KSDORP, TRANSVAAL, March 7. Since my last letter 'from Coal Mine. Drift, sudden orders were received to evacuate. Numerous parties of Boers were lurking in the neighbourhood, and 2500 of tho enemy, beaten <by Mcfhuen, seme miles distant, a 'few hours 'before, were supposed to 'be contemplating a descent on the garrison. We struck camp before daybreak' afi'd were away by 9 a.m., accompanied by an escort from Klerksdorp. As we went out the Boers came in, and pied our entrenchments^—not wi'tihout a remonstrance, liowever, from our artillery. Before arriving at we found tfhafc Captain Poison, with- 'the remainder of ithe Fifth men,- left at Mahnani some' six months ago, was in garrison at Koekemoer, a railway station, down-the lane, he having accompanied Lord Methuen's- column in a long and arduous inarch, and been dropped, at that point, j • MOBILISING FOR SOME. ; All -the "squadrons of the Fifth now being practically together, wifth t)he exception o'f the Canterbury troop,. exchanges were quickly 'effected, un*il in a few days all the men were re-entered on the strength of their originarcompanies. We are mobilising in anticipation of -an early departure for home, the date of which ds fixed at about tihe end of this month. An opportunity was afforded to continue, the -term of. their military service to those who wished to do so, trait 'Phere was little or no response.

THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH. - /The Sixth New Zealand Contingent is reported to be at Ncnpoort, and the Seventh are also due in a short time. There has been no fighting -that I am aware. of since we left 'Coal Mine Drift.

It is no use me -.writing again, as it is more than likely that I will be in New Zealand before this letter is delivered.