THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

GALLANT COLONIALS. DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDALS. LONDON, July 11. Among the New Zealanders who have been awarded distinguished conduct medals for bravery is Private Langham (Fourth Contingent, Woodviile) for gallantry at Vaalbank. The following have been awarded distinguished conduct medals. Their claims are based on eulogistic mention of their bravery: —Sergeant Davenport, First Australian Bushmen, twice severely wounded at Rhenostor Kop ; Corporal May, Sixth Australian Bushmen, Privates Angell (since dead) and W. George, West Australians, for gallantry at Zeeberg Pass. Additional names mentioned in despatches for conspicuous services are: Sixth Imperial Bushmen, Lieutenants B. H. Thomas _a7id B. D. Doyle, for capture of Be la Key’s guns and convoy on 24th March; Lieutenant Christian, New South Wales A Battery, for the admirable manner in which he handled his section (he is also described as a very good gunner and horse master). The following are mentioned in despatches : —New South Wales—Sergeant Major Weir, First Australian Bushmen, tor dressing Sergeant Davenport’s wounds under fire at Eheuoster Bop: Private Selby, Sixth Imperial Bushmen, for gallantry at Gatsrand. Victorians— Sergeant Handford, Lance-Corporal Legerwood, and Trooper Browning, for rescuing & mr.n who was pinned to the ground under heavy fire; Lance-Corporal Willing, for attending wounds under a close fire ; Corporal Walker, Staff Sergeant McKenzie, Troopers Butler, Jameson and Duncan, for special services at Wolmaranstad ; Sergeant Ward, South Australian, and Private Stocker, Tasmanian Bushman, for getting behind Schroeder’s laager and enabling the British to surround it. FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT. (Received July 13, 0.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 12. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mpv Chamberlain said, with reference to General Botha’s inquiries from Lord Kitchener with regard tp, a peace settlement, that. Groat Britain declines to_ accept liability for debts contracted since the beginning of the war, but does not repudiate the State loans issued previous, ly so far as they can he - provided for out of the Transvaal funds. Lord Lansdown e informed the_ House that Britain intends to differentiate between bona fide investors in'the Netherlands railway before the war and those who invested at a later date. Foreign Governments, he said, had communicated with Britain on the subject. SHOOTING THE WOUNDED. (Received July 12, 10 p.m.) LONDON. July 12. In the House of Commons the Hon W. St. J. Brodrick, Secretary of State for War, explained that in response to his telegram inquiring as to the truth of “Edgar Wallace’s” statements in the “ Daily Mail,” Lord Kitchener had replied that he had received th e testimony of seven men who saw Boers shoot wounded men at. Ylakfontein.

Mr Brodrick added that orders would be given to take the evidence of these persons on oath, MISCELLANEOUS. (Received July 13, 0.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. As the result of night operations fifty Boers were captured and s eighteen surrendered near Edenburg. Lord Methuen surprised and captured a laager near Zeerust, capturing fortythree Boers, twenty-tnino rifles, 2000 rounds of ammunition, thirty-eight waggons and 600 hags of grain. Forty Boer -families were also captured. .The “Daily Mail” says that sixty Boers, dejected and ragged, were brought into Bloemfontein. Do Wet’s commando is near Bloemfontein. Mr Brodrick. Secretary of State for War, announced in the House of Commons _ that Lord Kitchener’s despatches contained no suggestion of the independence of the late republics as the point whereon peace negotiations failed.

WELCOME HOME. INVERCARGILL, July 12, Brilliant sunshine made the Inverear* gill decorations look gay to-day, as the troop train steamed in at 11.39. Its arrival was the signal for rounds of cheers from a very large gathering of people. The contingents having Been formed up outside of the station", where a stand had been erected, the Rev Mr Luxford offered up prayers. The Ven Archdeacon Stocker", addressing the men, said they would never realise the anxiety that had. been felt for them until they sent tons on a similar mission. After singing the Old Hundredth, Lord Ranfurly was received with cheers. He said it had been his painful duty on many occasions to bid farewell to the youth of the colony when starting at an hour of strain on the Empire’s resources for the seat of war. To-day ho had the extreme pleasure of welcoming those in front of him back, they having fulfilled the task allotted them with credit to themselves and the colony. The assistance given the Mother Country would make a chapter in the history of the Empire which would have a lasting influence. It had been shown that the spirit of our ancestors existed in us, and Great Britain alone had not to be reckoned with. Her sons in Greater Britain would stand shoulder to shoulder with her. No conscription, no pressing, was required, for at the trumpet call the colonies had shown that they would spring forward in far larger numbers then was needed. New Zealand was proud of the way her sons had conducted themselves. Some had been taken, and their memories would ever be green in the annals of the colony as brave men wjio had given up their lives for their sovereign and the honour of their country. Personally, and in the name of Hie people of New Zealand, ho heartily welcomed them home. (Cheers.) The Mayor then extended a heartfelt welcome to the men on behalf of the citizens, and the Hon O. H. Mills, who apologised for the absence of the Premier, on behalf of the Ministry, and Parliament, expressed a hearty welcome. Three cheers for the Governor and contingents having bean given, the contingents and volunteers corps, the Garrison, City, Pipe and District Bands marched along the streets to Zealandia Hall, where luncheon was in readiness. During the afternoon the troops went to Queen’s Park, where his Excellency distributed medals and witnessed a march past and programme of sports. The troopers were afterwards taken off by their hosts to tea. In the evening ft conversazione was held, and a torch light procession passed through the principal streets of the town. Many business places were decorated and illuminated. The railway station made a display. an electric light plant being imported for the purpose. With a few exceptions the returned troopers looked very well. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, July 12. The men who by the Tagus say they had a capital time in Woroes-

ter, where the New Zealanders collected prior to sailing; but during thir stay a brawl arose in the natives’ quarters, and as a result an imperial officer was killed and a New Zealander wounded. The men also say that amongst South African soldiers liaden-Powell and other officers who are much talked about in the colonies are not thought much of, whilst on the other hand Buller and Methuen are idolised, and Kitchener is highly appreciated. The latter is said to be particularly severe on some Imperial officers who hang about the towns playing polo and so forth. Of the officers commanding their own contingents the men have most praise for Captain Fulton, who * though not personally popular, is a splendid leader. Captain Bauchop, Lieutenants J. R. McDonald and Poison are also warmly praised. As for Lieutenant Seddon, they say that though he had few chances he has certainly proved to be plucky. Of the Wellington men, Davy and W. Hardhara are looking well, and Sanderson seems none the worse for bis trip. He did not go south with the others. As to the men who died at sea, Kyle took ill after being three or four days on the ship, and Gunner Kendall was apparently well up to a few minutes' before his death*

The men on the Tagus were grievously disappointed when informed they would be sent to the Bluff, and petitioned Colonel Davis to he allowed to land in Dunedin; but they were told they must obey orders. Private F. W. Forbes, who returned by the Tagus, suffering from severe pneumonia, died to-day. Ho joined the Fifth Contingent from the Thames. He had friends in Dunedin, and the present intention is to give him a military fune. ral on Sunday.

The Premer stated yesterday.in the House that he regretted very much to have seen that there were eleven cases of dangerous illness on hoard the Tagus, and thirty-two other cases, and that one poor fellow. Trooper Forbes, of the Thames, had died. It had been recommended that the cases should be taken from the boat and put on the Quaran tine Island; hut his instructions were “No,” that it was too bleak and cold, and that separate arrangements would have to be made for them. There were not sufficient beds in the Dunedin Hospital; and he had given instructions to use the beds available, and remove the serious cases to the public and private hospitals at once. Mr Charles Hill, who acted as secretary to the committee appointed to ar range for a presentation on behalf of the citizens of Wellington to Major-General Baden-Powall, has received the following communication from Mr Walter Kennaway, of th© Now Zealand AgencyGeneral:—“Dear Sir, —Referring* to my letter of the 14th ultimo, I have now to inform yob that Mrs Baden-Powell has returned to London, from South. Africa, and has asked that your letter and the gold cigar case for her son General R. S. S. Baden-Powell, may he placed in her charge, with the many other presents which she is keeping for him at her house. The Agent-General hag accordingly handed them to her.” The Tagus, with the Canterbury and North Island men <sn board, leaves Dunedin on Sunday.