THE BOER WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11907, 7 March 1902, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

THE KLERKSDORP FIGHT, f i ; A SURPRISE ATTACK. | l RECKLESS COURAGE OF THE BOERS. | i i GUNS CHARGED AND r CAPTURED. i ! BOER LOSSES 30 KILLED AND [ 28 WOUNDED. f I By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright, f London, March 5. ; The Standard, in its account of [ the Klcrksdorp disaster, states that - believing the district to be quite safe, part of the escort of Major ( Vondonop's convoy, including a detachment of Paget's Horse, was al- j lowed to ride to Klerksdorp the previous night. Covered by a dark, wet night Commandant De la Rey placed 1300 Boers between the camp and Klerksdorp, at the same time concealing 500 in, thick scrub a few hundred yards round a bend in the road leading to a spruit. When the vanguard were assailed at daybreak the guns instantly raked ' the scrub with shrapnel and the > Maxims were mounted, the infantry firing steadily and compelling the Boers to retreat after half-an-hour's ' 1 engagement. The waggons had hardly resumed the march when a second onslaught ' was delivered with extreme dash and courage, the enemy riding within a hundred yards and firing from ' the saddle, causing a few mules to bolt and overturn the teams. After the second repulse there was 1 a brief lull, then the Boers recklessly galloped into the flanks of the column, overwhelming them by sheer weight of numbers. Major Vondonop's attempt to pack the waggons across the road when the final attack was made failed, owing to the native drivers bolting and the mules stampeding. The guns from the high ground kept shelling vigorously until the Boers, charging with tremendous impetus, captured them. A few minutes' confused fighting ensued, then all was over. The Northumberland Fusiliers were in the extreme rear of the column, and when their ammunition was exhausted they fixed bayonets and charged, but were eventually overpowered. Commandant De la Rey freely sjamboked looters, but when he was gone the dead and wounded soldiers were stripped. A few waggons and one Maxim reached Klerksdorp. De la Rey burned most of the waggons and then, dividing his force into three bodies, moved north. Thirty Boers were killed and 28 wounded. CONCENTRATION CAMPS. SPEECH BY MR. CHAMBERLAIN. COST OF KEEPING THE I REFUGEES. London, March 5. In the House of Commons Mr. Humphries Owen, member for Montgomeryshire, moved a resolution condemning the Government's' delay in improving the condition of the concentration camps. Mr. Chamberlain, in a brilliant speech in defence of the Government, condemned the grave and wicked exaggerations of the proBoers. He eulogised the ceaseless labour, sacrifices and devotion of the administrators of the camps. Maintaining 150,000 persons cost £180,000 a month. The mortality among the children in the camps under 12 years had fallen to 78 per 1000. The motion was negatived, by 232 votes to 111. CAPE REBELS. (Received March 6, 4.57 p.m.) London, March 5. A farmer at Barkly West has been sentenced to three years for joining the enemy and another farmer has received a year's imprisonment and been fined £500 for acting as fieldcornet. CAPTURE OF A LAAGER, London, March 5. Colonel Driscoll has captured Commandant Jacobs' laager on the Orange River, taking six prisoners, including Field-Comet Smit. CAPTURE OF BOERS. London, March 5. Captain Howgate, of Stemacker's Horse, captured 15 Boers near Steynsdorp, including Cooper, Botha's chief telegraphist. BOER PRISONERS SULLEN. London, March 5. The Boer prisoners at Umballa are sullen and defiant. They refuse ' to sign parole if they are transferred ! to Simla. TEACHERS FOR THE BOERS. London, March 5. Mr. Chamberlain is engaging 40 • teachers in Canada to work in the i concentration camps in South Africa. ; 'A CONVALESCENT NEW ! ZEALANDER. London, March 5. J. Freek, of the Sixth New Zealanders, is convalescent and has re- • sumed duty. i "~ : AUSTRALIAN HORSES. (Received March 6, 10.55 p.m.) [ Sydney, March 6. . With reference to the cable re the Lung- • tou Grange horses, it is stated they were ! selected by an Imperial remount officer, who c declared them a splendid lot. They were ' shipped in November, 1899, and experience ; afterwards proved they were of a class too heavy for the work required in South Africa.

THE GALLANT SEVENTH. Melbourne, March 6. Mr. Seddon, on behalf of the people of New Zealand, has cabled to Lord Hopetoun warmly thanking him for his roessago of sympathy at the- loss, and congratulations on the heroism, of the New Zealand troops. APPRECIATION OF AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL. Before commencing business at the meeting of the Auckland City Council last night. the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd) moved: "That this Council desires to place on record its appreciation of the heroic and gallant stand made on the 23rd ulfc. by the officers and men of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent. in South Africa, in repelling the attempt of the enemy to break through that portion of the cordon manned by the New Zealanders, and to extend to the relatives of those who fell its heartfelt sympathy." The Mayor, in submitting the resolution, said he could scarcely express ho sympathy they all felt for those who hail lost sons, brothers, and friends. The heroic way the contingent defended the honour of their country must be satisfactory to everyone, not only in New Zealand, but all over the British Empire, and it- was only right the Council should record its appreciation of the deed and their sympathy for the bereaved.

Mr. John MoLeod seconded, and suggested that a copy of the resolution be sent to the oilier commanding the Seventh Contingent, The resolution was unanimously adopted, and a copy ordered to be scut to Colonel Porter.

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT. WITH MAIMER'S FORCE. [from OCR prECi.u, CORRESPONDENT.] WaKKEßStroom, January 21, 1902. Plumer's force moved out at six o'clock this morning. The Sixth New Zealand Contingent marched out 400 strong. After 10 months' heavy trekking this is a very large number, and greatly in excess proportionately with other units. During the short rest we have had some very good sports, Captain Maikham collecting £178 from the officers of the column as prize money. The sports lasted three days, the New Zealanders maintaining their reputation for athletics. Just the day before starting Viall's and Colviu's corps played a cricket match. Colvin's Corps, composed mostly of New Zealanders (including Major Andrew, Captain Harper, Lieutenant Quintan, Sergeant Gallaher, Private Manning, and Bugler Qirdlestone), made 178 (Gallaher contributing a good 110, only giving one chance). Viall's Corps (chiefly Bushmen and M.1.) made 138. THE NINTH CONTINGENT. The usual routine work was carried out in camp at To Papapa yesterday. The men were being served with their uniforms yesterday, and it is anticipated that their kits will be complete by Saturday next. The three patients from tho contingent now in the Auckland Hospital aro making a good recovery; Trooper Pope, who is suffering from sunstroke, is doing well. A shipment of 42 horses arrived in camp from Wanganui yesterday, having been brought up by the s.s. llotoiti from New Plymouth. The horses were under the oaro of Mr. Blundell, stock inspector for the Wanganui district, who has about 30 more horses to send up here from his district. General Babington, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, saw the horses when he was in Wanganui recently, and expressed himself as very pleased with them. The Now Zealand and Australian Natives' Association have kindly placed their clubroom in Lower Queen-street at tho disposal of troopers of the Ninth Contingent when in town.

A row occurred in camp on Wednesday evening, which resulted in thrco troopers being expelled from the camp yesterday forenoon. It appears that the men received their pay on Wednesday afternoon, and a few of them patronised the canteen to. a greater extent than was good for them. The result was a melee, which Sergeant-Major Mcintosh had to take steps to quell with the aid of the guard, several blows being exchanged. Lieutenants 1. Richardson and (J. N. Nair, who have been appointed to the battalion, arrived yesterday morning from Napier by the s.s. To Anau, and reported themselves for duty. Lieutenant Chambers (chief clerk in the Commandant's office at Wellington), who has received a commission in the Ninth Contingent, was entertained by (he staff the other evening, and presented with a silver-mounted hunting crop as a mark of esteem. Captain Kinsey. of the Herctaunga Mounted Rifles, who* has arrived in camp from Wellington, having been granted a commission, was presented by his old corps with a matchbox and a cigarette-case, both, in solid silver, by Lieutenant Lloyd, of mo Herotaungas. with a greenstone pendant, and by Major Loveday, of the Mounted Rifle Battalion, with a caso of silver-mounted pipes. Captain Kinsey also received from his own business staff a travelling satchel. The Cabinet has decided that as the Medical Board has reported Lieutenant 11. W. Collins, late of the Fourth Contingent, to be medically unfit it cannot appoint him quartermaster of the Ninth Contingent. He is still feeling the effects of the gunshot wound in his left wrist, but his general health is reported to be good. The Auckland Banjo and Guitar Club tendered a concert in camp on Wednesday evening, and a well selected programme met with the heartiest appreciation by the men. Miss Cooper wishes to acknowledge the receipt of books for the use of the Ninth Contingent from Mosdamos Ferguson and Frater, Miss E. Barker, and Mr. Levy. Messrs. Bycroft and Co. yesterday forwarded to the camp a quantity of biscuits for the use of the officers and men, who wish to thank the donors for their kind gift. The officers of the contingent will be present to-night at " Our Navy" entertainment at the Opera House. [BY TELEGRArH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. The troopship Kent arrived to ship coals and provisions, and then goes South to take on board the Southern battalion of the Ninth Contingent. A TROOPER ACCIDENTALLY WOUNDED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —press ASSOCIATION.] Hokttika, Thursday. ' A cable from the officer commanding at Capetown, to his father, reports that Trooper Lot Cooper, of Hokitika. has been accidentally wounded in South Africa. Cooper is with the Seventh. TROOPER CONSIDINE. The Roman Catholic chaplain at Volksrust (Father Rizzonelli), has written to Mrs. Considine, mother of Trooper John Considine, of the Seventh Contingent, formerly of Auckland and Coromandel, who was wounded on December 29 last, stating that her son was doing as well as could be expected. He had been in General Plumer's column, and was wounded in the spine. He states the trooper was very patient. He was unable to move out of bed, his legs being quite paralysed. LETTER FROM A TROOPER. The following are extracts from a letter of Trooper J. A. Clark (whose father lives at Tauranga), formerly of the New South Wales Bushmen, and who subsequently joined the Scottish Horse in South .Africa, and is now serving with them, his time expiring on. March 20. At the time of his previous letter the Scottish Horse were camped close to the Seventh New Zealanders, near Newcastle, Natal, and he met a lot of the Tauranga boya there that belonged to the Seventh Contingent. Previous to that the New South Wales Bushmen had served witli the Fourth Contingent: — Fort Davis, Natal, December 26, 1901. My Dear Parents, —After my late escape from the Scottish Horse disaster, in which 78 out of 82 of our crowd got killed or wounded, we have, been in Natal, and my second Christmas has come and gone. In the first you will remember the plum duff was of so consolidated a nature that the artillery wanted it to tire on the Boers, and reckoned it would be greatly destructive, but whether internally or externally our artillery chaffers did not tell us. I spent a much better Christmas this year, for a lady (.Mrs. Osborne), near Fort Davis, sent us in a nice, pig with plenty of vegetables and apricots. Four of us bought the stuff for the duff, and I built it. It was a very brilliant affair, built with the aid of custard powder, and it went off all right. 1 don't now whether every duff costs as much as our, but if so Christmas was expensive. Ours cost 9s 6d for the stuff alone, let alone a day and a-half s work and worry cooking it, let alone the chaff 1 However, it was so good

that some of the chaps are suffering (roWk repletion, and that says a lot! The gift* we received were Jib tinned duff, one pint of beer, and three 2oz plugs of tobacco. Tb« numerous copies of the Auckland Wkwc.lt News you send me come quite a* a God-send, end are eagerly inquired after when I and the other New Z danders have done with them.

Johannesburg, January 9, 1902. I am doing dutv out at Jeppstown, a suburb of Johannesburg, and expect to lie here a few dayi and then go out to the column some 70 mile* beyond Pretoria. Johannesburg is a great town, or rather city, and it is far and away the best I have seen in Africa. It is very, quiet now. but when all the mines and batteries are in full swing it, will be a lively place, and money very plentiful. There art four batteries winking out of 100, and in' most cases they ate just keeping the mines clear of water waiting for permission to recommence. There are 10,000 niggers camped just outside the town waiting for work to commence. There are a few fine buildings in the city, but not n street to compare with Queen-street, Auckland, but. it must be a great place for money when everything is going well. There are gome splendid resideuces out in the suburbs. In fact, in Park Town there are some residences that are considered as amongst the finest in the world. At Krugersdorp, on a slope facing the town, there is a great monument commemorating the Boer independence. There also used to be a statue of Kruger, but since the occupation it Ins been destroyed by people taking away chunks of it as mementos, A sad ending to old Kroner's statue ! At Krugcnsdorp there is a great refugee camp, and coming up the line 1 saw three, big Boer refugee camps, one at Volksrust, one at Slnnderton, and another at Hejdelburg. At Volksrust

there ..re 1000 under canvas, and a few months ago the mortality was so high that there were eight or 10 funerals a day. The day 1 arrived there the authorities struck on a novel mode the refugees had of supplying the Boers with news and provisions. The cemetery is some considerable distance from the town, and that day a patrol happened to see two horsemen clearing away lrom the cemetery. On going up to investigate they found a grave opened and the coffin burst, and instead of containing a corpse it was full of tucker and ammunition. There is no knowing how long this little game has been going on, but there is a- guard night and day now at the cemetery. You will

have seen by the papers that De Wet has come to life again, and is making himself felt in the Oraiige River Colony. That attack at Tweefonteip, where the Scottish

Horse were so badly cut up, was a bud affair, especially when our column knew the Boers were close, and in fad they had been warned (he, camp would be attacked that night. Instead of taking extra precautions they preferred to be shot down like sheep. 'uiey never had a ghost of a show, and had only themselves to blame. The people here in the early days went in for planting gums, ami now there are some splendid plantations all round here, that are worth a mint of money, as limber of any kind, and 'especially largo timber suitable for mining purposes, is simply invaluable, and will be still Flore valuable when mining operations on the and are again in full swing.