ROBERTS'S DESPATCHES

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12479, 19 April 1901, Page 5

ROBERTS'S DESPATCHES

• OHITICISMS OF THE COMMANDERS. A LONG LIST OF COMPLI- • MENTS. NEW ZEALANDERS MENTIONED. United Fres3 Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 17. Earl Roberts, in his despatch, states that Sir George White was mainly responsible for preventing Natal being completely overrun by the Boers. His gallant, defence of Ladysmith and the prowess of his troops will live in the annals of the Army.. Lord Methuen's work in keeping his command always ready, together with the rapidity of his movements, untiring energy and conspicuous courage, largely contributed to the comparative quiet in whk.i the Boers on the Western Transvaal border were kept. Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. Byron, of the Royal Australian Artillery, Queensland regiment, and Lieutenant R. Seddon, of New Zealand, together with, other aides-de-camp of the Commander-in-Chief, per-' formed their duties loyally and well. The despatch bears tributes to the worth of Prince Christian Victor, who died of typhoid fever at Pretoria, and LieutenantColonel Le Gallais, who was killed in action: Lord Roberts eulogises (ienerals Sir Archibald Hunter., Tucker, Rundle, Kelly-Kenny and Baden-Powell, particularising each. General French, Lord Roberts says, lias . exceptional nerve, soldier-like qualities, sound judgment, unerring instinct and perfect loyalty, and his services have been of incalculable value to the Empire. General Charles Knox is a gallant soldier, a sound strategist and a good tactician, and General Hutton, who commanded the Australian arid Canadian Mounted Infantry Brigade, had unbounded energy and did ,great service. General Clements did good service, and Colonel Ward, now permanent Under-Secretary at the War Office, as Director of Supplies, was a unique departmental officer, with genius in his character. General. Hector Macdonald showed energy, Colonel Broadwood showed himself a- gallant leader, and Colonels Henry, Plumer and Pilcher and General Brabant are eulogised ■ for their services. Colonel Deksle one of the best deserving of junior officers •brought into prominence by the war. and by his resolution, quickness and dai.ing, Colonel Thorneycroft showed himself- a most gallant, and capable leader. The names of the Australians and New Zealanders, including privates, recommended in Eari Roberts's latest despatches for meritorious services, occupy in space threequarters of a newspaper column. (Received April 15, 10.24 p.m.)

LONDON, April 18v "' "The" following' New ZeaTanders "are mentioned'in Lord Roberts's despatches:— Colonel Nowall, Majors Cradock, Davies, Jowsey and Robin, Captains Poison and Major, . Lieutenants Bauchop, Bradburne, Hughes, Rolleston and Tora (?), SergeantMajors Burn, Fletcher and Harper, Sergeants Cassidy, Hazlett and Lucy, PioneerSergeant Harris, Corporals Harper and Hogg, Troopers 'Callaway and Holroyd, Private Wade. Forty-nine Canadians, 14 Tasmanians, 14 Victorians, 16 West Australians, 1\ Queenslaaders and 17 South Australians are also mentioned.