THE BOER WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 19 November 1900, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

RAILWAYS DESTROYED. THE VRYHEID GARRISON BESIEGED. THE TOWN EVACUATED. SEVERE FIGHTING AT EDENBURG. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. London, November 17. The Boers have broken the Bloem-fontein-Orange River railway ii/ 20 places, also the Kimberley-Belmont line. The British have evacuated' Vryheid. The garrison, which was provisioned for half a year, occupy the hills overlooking the town, and threaten the besiegers if they attempt to enter to blow the town in L • pieces. Severe fighting has taken place at Edenburg, in the Orange River Colony. Seventy-five Boer casualties are reported. COLONIAL TROOPS AT WINDSOR. ADDRESSED BY THE QUEEN. INSPECTION IN* ST. GEORGE'S HALL. A SPLENDID RECEPTION. London, November 17. Ninety colonials, representing 45 corps, under Major Sir Francis R. M. Synge, visited Windsor Castle and met with a splendid reception. The Queen, addressing the men, said: "It is with the greatest pleasure I welcome you here to-day. I thank you all for your loyal services, ana wish you God-speed and a safe return." Sir F. R. Synge called for three cheers for Her Majesty, and a sergeant called for an extra colonial one, which was given with three cooees. The troops were afterward recraled' at luncheon in the Town Hall. The colonials were shown' the State apartments, and the Soudan and other curios. Many, owing to wounds and sickness, looked drawn and pinched, and some walked with sticks. Owing to the downpour of rain the inspection was held in St. George's Hall. The Queen, who was looking well, was wheeled in a chair. The Princess Beatrice and her children were also present. The colonials entered two abreast, and halted in saluting line. The Chaplain, the Rev. J. T. Evans, specially presented them, the Queen remarking: " You brought some very fine men with you." At the Queen's instance the men I were brought near and introduced in sections representing the various colonies. The Australians came first. Sergeants Legge and McDonald, Australians, were individually presented. Kindly words were bestowed upon many personally.

KRUGRER'S VISIT.

INTIMATION FROM FRENCH AND DUTCH GOVERNMENTS. London, November 16. The French and Netherlands Governments have forwarded to Krugei at Suez, particulars of the stringent measures which they have taken respectively to prevent the occasion for British remonstrances during his visit. THE COLONIAL TROOPS. THEIP RECEPTION IN ENG- ... LAND. ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME BEING ARRANGED. London, November 16. Five thousand colonial troops from South Africa are expected to arrive in England by the end of January. A Reception Committee, including the Duke of Abercorn (president) and Earl Grey (vice-president), are arranging with Lord Salisbury's, Mr. Chamberlain's, <md Lord Woi-f-eley's approval a programme for their reception. The colonials will also visit a number of historic places. A BRITISH GARRISON BESIEGED. London, November 16. Commandant De Beer, with 800 burghers, is still investing Schweizerrenneke, in the Western Transvaal, although Major-General Settle has twice temporarily relieved the position. The British garrison of 250, under Colonel Channel*, is gallantly resisting the attacks. LORD KITCHENER. London, November 16. Lord Kitch'enei has gone to Natal. LORD ROBERTS' DAUGHTER. London, November 16. Miss Roberts is still progressing favourably.

THE SEIZURE OF GOLD. Berlin, November 16. The Haiiseatic Court hast ordered the gold recently seized aboard the steamer Bundesrath at Hamburg and confiscated by order of the Hamburg Court, to be returned to the consignees.

"TREATING" RETURNING TROOPS.

LORD ROBERTS' APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC. Sydney, November 17. The newspapers, at Lord Roberta' request, publish the test- of his appeal to the public, which has been forwarded here from headquarters, not to " treat" returning soldiers.

•' ~'r ••.v,V Lord Roberts says that for the reputation of the soldiers he has been, so pleased to command he hopes the welcome home will not take the form of treating them to stimulants, thus degrading those whom the nation delights- to honour, and lowering the soldiers of the Queen in the eyes of the world, which has watched with admiration the work they have performed for their Sovereign and country. He earnestly begs the public to refrain from tempting "my gallant comrades," and rather help them to uphold the splendid reputation they have won for .the Imperial army. Lord Roberts "adds:—"l am proud to record that their conduct from first to last has been exemplary. • Not a single case of serious crime has been brought under my notice; indeed, nothing deserving of the name of crime." Ho says he trusted the men's own soldierly feeling, and good sense, and had not trusted in vain. They had borne themselves like heroes on the battlefield, and like gentlemen on all other occasions. This testimony, he feels sure, will be very gratifying to Great Britain and to Greater Britain, whose sons shared to the fullest extent the sufferings as well as the glory of the war, and who helped so materially to bring it to a successful close. Lord Roberts says he makes this appeal because he had read with great regret reports that when the troops were leaving London, injudicious friends pressed liquor upon them, which resulted in some very distressing and discreditable scenes. "THE AUCKLAND FOURTH." The following letter has been sent by 1 Trooper Chris. Berry, of the Fourth Contingent, to his sister at Pirongia, Waikato:'' —" Ottoshoop, September 2. Still in the land of the living, and enjoying good health. Just got back from church parade. Captain Walker read the service, and made a 1 very good attempt for his first. Well,these Boers have not had enough yet. Some of them have handed in their arms, andi tried to persuade the others to do the same, but they say they will fight to a finish, so» I suppose we'll be kept a month or two longer than we expected. We have only had two wounded and about 10 horses killed ;| that is, out of the Auckland Fourth, my; mates. Well, soldiering is all right ati Potter's Paddock, but out here bully beef, and hard linseed biscuits are not too good. I can safely say that biliousness never troubles me now. We get about lib o£' flour per man occasionally, and, with th» aid of an old go-ashore, with a piece of tin for a lid, I bake a couple of very good loaves for my section. We drop across h, Boer hen roost sometimes, and have a littlef luxury. , A shop has been started in camp* but owing to oui not getting any money, for this last four months, we are unable to buy porridge meal like the other troops* All the fellows say I am getting very fat.. Last time I weighed I was list 61b. We are camped about 25 miles out of Mafeking, and only have to go about four miles out to get any amount of scraps. Wo go out in parties of fours or eighths to find out where the Boers are entrenched, then the artillery goes out and drops a few shells into them, and before they know what ip the matter, we gallop round, and get some volleys into them as they retreat. The Kawhia people sent me a grand paL of fieldglasses, which come in very handy when' scouting, as there is not a Boer to be seen once you get within range; but a Major Davies, who is in charge, says they are bad 1 shots. One of our men rode in amongst, them the other day by mistake, and about, 50 of them poured five or six volleys at him while retreating; only one bullet struck the butt of his rifle, and went right through into the horse's lungs. It sounds very Strang® to hear the bullets singing past you, as you. gallop along. The Boers use Bum Dunis, Martini-Henrys, and all sorts, which is not supposed to be fair. Captain Walker's horse was shot under him. My mara wrenched her hind fetlock going over the stones, but with plenty of hot wat« I have got it nearly right again. She is a regular daisy, and stands the fire like a lamb. Lord Methuen passed through here last week with about 5000 men. It was a great sight, with all their convoy of mule and bullock waggons; also a lot of Boer transport waggons and prisoners. General Carrington has been recalled to England. J. Prentice and Papesch are left in Mafeking with two of the big guns, and the rest of the artillery is out here with us. So now I must conclude with best love to all my New Zealand friends."

NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE CONSTABULARY. The following is an extract from a letter from a non-commissioned officer in one of the New Zealand contingents, dated Pretoria, September "When we reached Pretoria we had only 16 horses fit for mounted work. We were given to understand that the war was practically over, and that any of us would be able to obtain our discharge here. Lord Roberts told us that he would be glad to have some of the New Zealajiders in what he called th« Transvaal Military Police, and as it seemed that the only prospect before us was to loaf in a ' rest camp' for an indefinite period, we were very glad of the opportunity of doing something, so we joined the constabulary, but we have been treated very shabbily in the matter of pay. The rates promised when we joined have not been adnered to except in the cases of the commissioned officers and the troopers, and now the military governor says that we will have to find our rations ourselves. The Commissioner of Police (an officer of the Guards) does not like colonials, and as yet has not given a single promotion, to one of them, while troopers of the Imperial Yeomanry are continually getting commissions or other substantial promotion. The majority of the New Zealanders will get home again as soon as they can. They are now being drafted back to their regiments, and this looks as if none of them will get their discharge ; of course, many of them came here with the view of stopping in the country, but the only thing in its favour is the chance of making some money. The heat is intense, the dust choking, and there are endless varieties of fever."

EXTRACTS FROM CAPE PAPERS.

LIEUTENANT ROBERTS' GRAVE. A GRACEFUL OFFER. Maritziiurg, October 8. A loyal Dutchman named Hatting, residing near Frere, has made a graceful offer to Lord and Lady Roberts. The. remains of Lieutenant Roberts lie on this man's farm, and he offers to make over to the parents of the deceased officer two acres of land round the grave. Mr, Hatting is one of the very few Natal Dutch wT.o refused to join the enemy when they appeared in their neighbourhood. A HOPELESS STRUGGLE. BOER PRISONER'S PROTEST. Bloemfontein, October 5. A Boer prisoner writes to the Blaemfon' tein Post from Green Point Camp, protesting against the hopeless struggle kept up by the Boers still fighting in the Orange River Colony. He states that the time has come to end the struggle, and if this is not done soon the prisoners at Capetown and elsewhere will shortly issue a public protest.

SNIPING ROUND JOHANNESBURG* Johannesburg, October 5. The country round Johannesburg is noli yet free of Boers, parties prowling about and attacking our patrols on all possible occasions. Two men of Compton's Horse were killed on Saturday at Boskop, 16 miles out, and their bodies were brought into Johaiv neabursr yesterday, and buried with military honours. One is a brother of Ferrand, who lost his life on Waggon Hill, and much sympathy is expressed with his parents, and great indignation at the useless loss of life. Only a week ago two other men of the same corns were seriously wounded while on patrol. '••>