THE BOER WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11544, 1 December 1900, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

THE SIEGE OF DEWETSDOEP

SURRENDER OF THE BRITISH

GARRISON.

AFTER FOUR DAYS' FIGHTING.

AN UNACCOUNTABLE AFFAIR.

ASSISTANCE ARRIVES TOO

LATE.

THE PURSUIT OF DE WET.

DEFEATED AT TAALBANK.

STEYN REPORTED TO BE

WOUNDED.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

London, November 30. Lord Roberts reports that the Dewetsdorp garrison, consisting of two guns of the 68th Battery, and 400 of the Gloucester Regiment, the Highland Light Infantry, and Irish Rifles, surrendered on the 23rd after four days' . fighting. Fifteen were killed and 42 wounded. The Boers numbered 2500. A relief column of 1400 from Edenburg failed to arrive in time. When it was joined by General Knox on Monday it was found that Dewetsdorp had been evacuated, excepting by 75 sick men. General Knox pursued and defeated De Wet and Steyn at Yaalbank, driving them to the west and south-west. It is reported that Steyn was wounded. General Knox has reoccupied Dewetsdorp. Colonel Pilcher stampeded and captured 300 of De Wet's horses. The newspapers consider the surrenders at Dewetsdorp unaccountable if the British were properly entrenched and if there were sufficient supplies. Many farmers are joining De Wet. London, November 29. ' General Knox, by a rapid and successful march, got between the Orange River ond De Wet, who is now moving westward. The British, as a precautionary measure, have disabled all the flour mills in the Lady brand district.

SUCCESSFUL BRITISH OPERATIONS.

DE LA EEY DEFEATED AND

SURROUNDED.

COL. WHITE'S MOVEMENTS.

FOUR HUNDRED BOERS

ROUTED.

GENERAL BRUCE HAMILTON'S

CAPTURES.

GREAT QUANTITIES OF STOCK

SECURED.

THE CANADIANS FOIL AN

AMBUSCADE.

London, November 30.

General Clements defeated De la Rey near Krugersdorp, killing 25. It is reported that De la Hey is surrounded, with small prospect of escape.

Colonel White defeated Haasbruck's commando, 400 strong, at Bullfontein.

The Welsh Yeomanry displayed great gallantry in the engagement.

General Bruce Hamilton has cleared the country between Wilge, in the Orange Colony, and the Veal, capturing great quantities of stock.

While marching to Belfast, near Machadodorp, a force of Canadians were'ambushed.

Dismounting, they drove their horses in the direction of the main body, while the column took cover, defending a ridge until help arrived. Several Boers were killed. There were no casualties amongst the Canadians. Colonel Plumer dispersed 500 Boers at DesvagendrHfc. The Scots Guards, after a sharp fight, captured a strong position at Tigerskloof

FRANCE AND THE BOERS.

OFFER OF ARBITRATION USELESS. Paris, November 29. In the Chamber of Deputies M. Dejcasse, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, declined to answer an interpellation involving a debate on the question of arbitration in the Transvaal war. It is understood that the French Cabinet are convinced that an offer of arbitration would have no chance of acceptance. Paris, November 30. The Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed a colourless resolution of sympathy with Kruger. M. Delcasse discouraged any discussion on the resolution.

THE PLOT TO KILL LORD ROBERTS.

A GERMAN OPINION.

Berlin, November 29.

The newspaper, the National Zeitung, referring to the latest plot against Lord Roberts, says it would be impossible to feel surprised if England adopted relentless measures against such people.

RETURN OF THE GUARDS.

WELCOMED BY THE QUEEN. London, November 30. The Household Cavalry have re-

turned from South Africa. The Queen, in welcoming the First Life Guards at Windsor, declared that their gallantry amply fulfilled her expectations. ,;

WANDERING

Pabib, November 29. Kruger goes to Cologne on: Saturday; resuming his journey to Berlir on Monday. . c'\ ■£■)<{■ ; ;: ' ; THE AFRIKANDER CONFERENCE. Capetown, November 29. The Cape railway authorities r» fuse to grant special facilities t« v those attending the Afrikander Bond Conference at Worcester, in Cape Colony. .■■" RETURN OF AUSTRALIANS. London, November 30. Reuter's Agency reports that 1000 Australians are returning home in a few days THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS. THE DATE OF THEIR RETURN UNCERTAIN. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. The Premier has received the following cable message: — Members ot the Firsti Contingent who had urgent private affairswere allowed to return home. Lord Roberts cannot state the date on which the remainder can be spared, but will arrange for their return as soon as the present state of hostilities permit. The location of the corps is, Pretoria, Jacobsdal, Ottoshoof, near Underdoofs, Mafekin, and Tuli." The Premier has received a cable from Major. Davies from South Atrica, stating that Lieutenant J. H. Ross, of Napier, left the front on the 17th inst.; also that Private Ruddell was wounded on the 11th, but all are now doing well. The Premier has also received a cable from Colonel Price, statins: that ono of the New Zealanrlers on the Harlech Castle is ill, the case being described as a lying-down one. Sister Teape is a passenger by the vessel. In addition to Hawera's donation of £167 19s 4d, Nelson has given £100 towards the funds to enable Mr. Pilcher tc provide comforts for the New Zealanders in South Africa. RETURNING TROOPERS. [by telegraph.— •rniw'* association.] Wellington, Friday. The Premier has received the following message from the Premier of South Australia, dated November 30: —The following soldiers arrived per Woolloomooloo from Africa at noon yesterday: Surgeon-Major, Burns, Sergeant Marshall (Brabant's Horse),' Corporal J. N. Hall (Napier), Private Paradins (Rhodesian Volunteers), Private Johnson (Otago), Private Bunton, Private Lewin (Christchurch), and Private Turner (Brabant's Horse). Dunedin, Friday. The chairman of the Organising Committee has received a telegram from the Premier, stating that the Harlech Castle may be expected at Dunedin about December 6, and hoping that the men will receive suitable reception. WELCOME TO LIEUTENANTCOLONEL SOMMERVILLE. (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wangantii, Friday Lieutenant-Colonel Sommerville arrived home to-day, and was accorded an enthusiastic and hearty welcome. Addresses of welcome were delivered by the Mayor (Mr. Hatrick), and Mr. Willis, M.H.R. Lieu-tenant-Colonel Sommerville, in reply, gave a very interesting resume of his experiences in South Africa. He spoke in high terms of praise of tlio men of the New Zealand Contingents. In the course of his remarks he referred to a misconception in New Zealand in regard to the status of the men in the military police, in which capacity our men had done useful work, and acquitted themselves so creditably that had they been allowed to remain in the service, many of them would have received permanent appointment at from £1 to £1 5s a day. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.} Wellington, Friday. The Imperial Government have doubled the order lor oats, making 10,000 instead of 5000 tons, as originally ordered. No reply has as yet been received as to the acceptance of offers of jam from the colony. LETTER FROM A TROOPER. Gunner H. G. McLeod, of No. 1 New Zealand 15-pounder Battery, R.A.R. Field Force, writing to his uncle from Ottoshoop, on the 13th ult., says:—"Matters are very quiet here now, and we expect to get orders for home at any time. The embarkation orders were read out last week. In addition to 40 days' pay, we receive a gratuity of £5 per man. We were out along the Litchenburg Road last Saturday, but did not fire a shot. We were supposed to intercept a force of the enemy, but they evaded us as usual. The convoy coming out from Mafeking to here was stuck up by the enemy about eight miles away. Major Baker and a detachment of the South Australian Bushmen went to the assistance of the convoy, and succeeded in driving the enemy off, after four hours' fighting. Two of the South Australians were killed and four wounded. These casualties were caused through a patrol of nine men being surprised by the enemy. Another of our patrols surprised nine Boers, killing six of them and two horses. To-morrow a convoy leaves here for Zeerust with supplies for Methuen. Major Powell got a football for us from Mafeking the other day, and a well-contested match between the New Zealand boys and Paget's Horse resulted in a win for our team by 14 points to nil.