THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1510, 7 February 1901, Page 63

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

A LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Sergeant F. W. Bezar, formerly of Wellington, writing home during December, says : —There is but little to toll you just now. What I hare to say is more personal than general. I am far from being Al. . The other evening I was ordered to entrain at six o’clock uhe next morning for Kimberley Hospital, but my vemperature went down before morning, and I was spared the trip. There is not much doing just now, but I can hear the men singing round the fires, as jolly as Jack Tars just ashore from a long spell abroad. I hear that we are Ic&ing the 1.L.H., and that the New Zealand Fourth are to take their place. Hurrah for that news; what a jolly meeting that will. be. We hear tonight that Knox has bagged De We+ at last—too good an item to be true, 1 am afraid. How jolly if New Zealanders could nab him —what a big feaihsr >i would be for the colony. 51, Surgical Ward, Johannesburg Hospital, December 17, 1900.

You will be surprised, clear father, to learn that since writing the above. I am fairly down, at last. I did my best to keep on duty, but failed. I mmike ep very quiet. ; underwent an operation at Klerksdorp a short time ago. The doctors thought they had not succeeded well, so packed me off here, where I have been since Thursday. I am afraid it will be a case of “pack him home-’ I bad hoped to see the war through lut am afraid that cannot be. It is useless lingering here if not fit for duty. Last Tuesciay was my last duty

in the field, and 1 had a narrow esc-qm. 1 was standing by my horse when a u a user whizzed along and fell at my feet. I searched and found it. It was then time to mount and go back to the gun. What wonderful arrangements are here! It is worth a trip all the way from New Zealand to see the stat: cf things. Every possible comfort, and. the kindness of doctors and nurses is enough to pull patients through. We have nice spring beds and* vhite sheets; the patients are in comiortable blue suits ami easy slippers, and when a patient's tempt raturo" permits, he gets all sorts of things—chicken, l-ort, porter, or any thing he could possibly desire. The man who could complain of things he* e would richly deserve to be left out on the veldt. I hear Lord Kitchener intends making thii gs hum soon. There are hundreds of horses passing o.i to Krugcrsdorp. That is a very uic 3 spot, as there are about 3000 Boers hovering round. De Wet is stirring up things, and they are on bis trail. That is m t news, is it ? Lord and Lady Roberts visited this hospital recently. . This afternoon we hail some lady visitors, including Lord Kitchener’s sister. One gave me a packet of cigarettes, fur which I was very thankful, especially as my stock had run out. I trust they wii’ be able to pull me round for duty. A sergeant-major of Hie R.A. has temporary charge of my gun. There is a rumour going round that the Boers are thinking of making a dash for this place. If they are wise they will not mind it, as it could never end to their advantage. General French is here at present, and Mrs De Wet honours the place by ker presence. She is staying at the Victoria Hotel. Good-by®.