THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12567, 31 July 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CAPTURE OF A LAAGER. ; LATIGAN’S DEFEAT. A DASHING EXPLOIT. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 29. The Boers attacked the refugee camp, a* Aliwal, and were repulsed. Details of the capture of Comman#M*S Latigan’s laager show that ninety of CoIoi»*1. Lukin’s’Cape Rifles followed the track od a stolen cart across the veldt, ultimately locating the Boers’ hiding place, and defeating 150 of the enemy. Lieutenant Webby, with twelve men, while trying to' outflank Commandant Latigan on a ridge, was confronted by forty Boers, who killed one of the British and wounded four. ; Lieutenant Webby htld his position for an hour, until the guns arrived, and scattered _■ his opponents. • - ’ THE VICTORIA CROSS, HEROES OF A FAMOUS BATTLE.. LONDON, My. 29, Privates R. Scott and J. Pitt,, of the - Manchester Regiment, have been awarded ' . the Victoria Cross for holding a sahgar and fighting without food and water for fifteen hours at Caesar’s Camp, Ladysmith, on Ja,n. 6, 1900. BOERS IN PORTUGUESE TERRITORY. (Received July 30, 10.25 p.m.j LONDON, July 30. A Boer commando, accompanied by women and children has entered! Portuguese ■ territory, near the Rivers Limpopo and " Pafurie. Troops have been, sent to disarm them. DEATH OF A, TROOPER. [Per Press Association.! ■ AUCKLAND, July 30. ; A private cable message advises the death of Trooper Harry Whittaker, a son of the late Sir Frederick Whittaker, ■ who ; was injured in a recent railway accident . at Cape Town, ; A welcome “600101” was held in Temple- • ton Hotel, on Friday night, in honour of V Sergeant J. R. Hesp, of the .Third Contingent. Sergeant Hesp was not present, 7 as he had to be in Auckland. Mrs Dawson, on behalf of the subscribers, handed to Mr J. R. Hesp, the sergeant’s father, a - gold Maltese cross, suitably inscribed, and requested him to forward it to his son, with the best wishes of his Templeton A friends. Songs, etc., were given andhelped: to pass a pleasant evening, A : welcome “ social ” is to be tendered Cor-, 5 poral P. A. Chaplin, in the Templeton : School, on Firday next. .''l Trooper J. W. Ridley, who returned with/:.! the Fifth Contingent, was entertained at a,v smoke concert last might by the brethren of' the Loyal Rangiora Lodge of Oddfellows, of- - 1 which he is a member. Arranged by an energetic committee, and carried out under the presidency of P.P.G.M. . MarshgU.< the welcome-home was of a most fraternal ' and cordial character. The Chairman, in - proposing the toast of “ Our Returned Brqther,” , presented him, on behalf of the;,,. Lodge members, with a heavy silver watch ’ guard, having a suitably engraved locket. >. attached. Trooper Ridley heartily thanked y the Lodge for the gift and welcome, andjd, also took advantage of the occasion to pub-... licly thank the people of Kaiapoi for their’ - handsome treatment at the social gather- ■ ing held in honour of the returned troopers, r las t week. Several other toasts were honoured, and in responding to that of “The Ashley District," Prov. ,0. S. Jennings stated that up-to the present over £6O had been paid from the District Funds to meet A liabilities incurred in connection with members who had joined the contingents. Songs - were contributed by Bros A. Smith, A. <■ Yates, H. Jones, W. Mitchell, D. Kirk,' . R. Cook, and S. Jones, a recitation by Bro W. Smith, , and the proceedings were brought to a close with “Auld Lang Syne.*' :;. On Friday last, at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Akaroa, a il sodal” was given by thetownspeople in honour of the local troop-'" ers of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents, viz., Troopers Brookes, Perham, Army strong, Thomas (2), and Nicholls. The Mayor presided, and warmly welcomed the men home. Trooper Brookes suitably replied for his comrades. Other speakers were Messrs Lelievre, Bruce, Jacobson, and Rev J. Smythe. Songs, instrumental music j' and recitations were given,' and refresh- . ments were provided by the ladies. Dancing was kept up with spirit until T amV ’■