THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12557, 19 July 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CLEARING OPERATIONS. REORGANISING THE FORCES MOUNTED MEN INSTEAD OE INFANTRY. United Press Association—‘By Elcctrio Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 17. The clearing up of the Eastern Transvaal is proceeding steadily. Two thousand refugees are encamped to the eastward of Pretoria. There arc indications that there is a substratum of truth in the statement made by the " Daily Mail ” as to Lord Kitchener’s intentions, inasmuch as Lord Kitchener has been sparing the cavalry in favour of yeomanry and colonial rough riders, who are so well suited for finishing the campaign and for police duties. A SPEECH BY T|IE CAPE PREMIER. A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. OAPE TOWN, July 17. Sir Gordon Sprigg, in an address to the Vigilance Committee, said that the situation in Cape Colony was brighter than it had been at any time during the war. Communications were passing between Lord Kitchener and the Cape Ministry, and the result, 'he hoped, would end the warfare. It had been impossible to summon the burgher forces, as the Dutch were untrustworthy, and often rebels at heart. THE VDAKFONTEIN MURDERS. STEYN’S ESCAPE, (Received July 18, 10.43 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Mr Bennet Burleigh states that the report of the lolling of wounded at Vlakfontein is not well authenticated, but’ it is believed that the outrage was the work of one or two Boers. The “ Standard’s ” Pretoria correspondent says that Steyn was asleep when Reits was surprised, but escaped in. his night shirt, and jumped on a horse. Riflemen fired at him but missed. RECOMMENDED FOR THE VICTORIA CROSS. FARRIER-SERGEANT HARDBAM’S EXPLOIT. [From Our Special Correspondent.] "WELLINGTON, July 18. With respect to the Premier’s statement at the luncheon to the troopers who returned by the Tagus, that he had recommended Famer-Sergeant Hardham, of Petono, the well-known, interprovincial fodtbaU player, for the Victoria Cress, X learn that the engagement wherein Farrier-Sorgoa.nt - Hardham merited the distinction was in connection with a detachment of twelve New Zealanders which was ordered to charge a kopje. No Boers were seen, but when Hardham, M’Phee and M’Crae, all of whom were in advance, got within one hundred yards of the summit, a hot fire was poured down on them. A rush’ was made for cover, but before - they had gone far M’Phee fell from his horse, badly wounded. Sexton, Hardham and O’Dowd galloped through a hail of bullets, and assisted and bandaged up the sufferer, and shortly afterwards the Boers, being driven back, he was taken tq the ambulance. Hardham showed conspicuous bravery throughout the engagement. Before (M’Phee was wounded, Hardham, when galloping to cover about forty yards ahead of M’Orae, happened to look round and saw the latter’s horse fall. He immediately pulled up, rode back, under a heavy fire, dismounted, and helped M’Crae on to his own horse, and then gripping the stirrup-iron, he ran alongside till both were out of danger. Subsequently it was found that M’Crae’s horse had twelve bullets in him and M’Phee’s seven. THE FIRST FIVE CONTINGENTS. COST OF TRANSPORT. [From Our Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 18. From despatches which have passed between the Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and which were presented to Parliament yesterday, it appears that the cost of conveying the first five New Zealand contingents to South Africa was as follows:—First Contingent, by the Waiwera, £11,800; Second Contingent, by the Waiwera, £14,175; Third Contingent, by the Knight Templar, £6517; Fourth and Fifth Contingents, by the Monowai, £12,000, by the Gymeric, £12,375, by the Maori, £9975 and by the Waimate, £12,900, besides the sum of £2942 for insuring their quick despatch. His Excellency has also forwarded to the Secretary of State a memorandum he had received from the Premier suggesting, in view of the difficulties experienced in procuring vessels- to convey the colony’s contingents to South Africa, that his Excellency should represent to the Imperial Government the expediency of authorising the Colonial Government, by legislation if necessary, to commandeer vessels of the British mercantile marine that may be suitable to be used as troopships should occasion arise to render it necessary to do so.

THE RETURNED TROOPERS. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 18. ' The Auckland' members of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents arrived this morning, and were accorded an enthusiastic reception. They were met at Onehunga by Captain Reid, the adjutant of the Auckland district, and at the railway station by the Mayor, the Primate and the members of the Patriotic Committee. The streets were thronged. Headed by a band arid a mounted escort, the troopers marched through cheering crowds to the Municipal Buildings, the garrison troops bringing up the rear. After the official reception, they were entertained at luncheon by the Patriotic Committee.

GISBORNE, July 18.

Arrangements have been made to give a dozen Gisborne troopers who returned by the Tagus a good reception this morning. The Volunteers and . bands were called out, but when the steamer arrived it was discovered that only one man was on board, the others having remained behind at Wellington, and he stepped on shore at the first opportunity to avoid an ovation. NELSON, July 18.

Fifteen of the troopers who returned by the Tagus arrived here this morning by steamer. Although a drizzling rain was falling, a large number of people gathered in the streets, which were’ decorated with art muslin and bunting. The troopers were met by the Mayor and the More Men Fund Committee, and were heaiC.ly welcomed, amid dheers. Mounted on horses specially provided, they went in processiojr to the Cathedral steps, where a short service was

held, and speeches of welcome delivered. Afterwards the men were entertained at an, informal luncheon. This evening a con' cert will he given in the men’s honour, and to-morrow they will he present, by invitation, at the Athletic and Cycling Club’s annual ball.

Tire social gathering to welcome the Lyttelton troopers who have returned, from the war will probably he held on Tuesday next.

A service of thanksgiving for the safe return of the Lyttelton soldiers from the South African War is to be held in St Saviour’s Church, West Lyttelton, on Sunday, evening. The N Battery will hold a church parade on the occasion, and attend the service.

In consequence of the death of Mrs Davis, mother of Corporal Davis, one of the Lyttelton members of the returned South African Contingents, lb has been/ decided to postpone the “social” to he given by the people of Lyttelton to the returned troopers. At a meeting of citizens held in Sydenham Borough Council Chambers last evening, a committee of twenty gentlemen was appointed to make 'arrangements for a “ social ” and presentation on August 8 to Troopers Shaw, Hill, Williams, Walls, and Chegwin, Sydenham members of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents, who have returned. A 'NEW ZEALAND EH IN BLOEMFONTEIN. A gentleman, at one time well-known in Christchurch, who has now been settled in Bloemfontein for rather more than a year, writes to a friend in Christchurch: • “ On all sides, and no matter where you go, in hospitals, camps, picquets or columns, you find a marked good l feeling between the Australians and Maori landers, almost amounting to brotherhood. You will never hear the soldiers from either Australia or New Zealand speak unkindly of one another. There is a marked contrast between the Tommy and onr . New Zealand Volunteers. One certainly gets hardened to it, but at first I used to blush, and had I been told it, would scarcely believe that any human being could use the language that I have heard coming from some of the Home soldiers. Fortunately f6r both soldier and civilian, little drink could be had, in Bloemfontein. Had the bars been open to all, there is litt\e doubt things would have been very lively. The Dutch are to be very much pitied. It is a sad sight to visit the Refugee Camp, and one cannot help but feel for the poor unfortunate people. There are, I believe, about 3000 in the Refugees Camp two and a half miles out of town. The weather is bitterly cold and' fuel scarce. In many tents,. 10 x 10, there are the father, mother and five to ten children. It is to be hoped, for humanity’s sake, that those now fighting out of revenge —for they have nothing now to lose—will soon see their folly and admit their defeat. One word, “Leniency,” has. played an important part throughout this long and costly campaign. It is my opinion, though I may be wrong, that had more firmness been shown at th© first, and All appeals for mercy set aside until hostilities ceased, we should net have lost nearly so many men. It is possible that more might have fallen on the battle field; but the death rate from enteric, dysentery and malarial fever would have been small compared with th© actual figures.”