THE BOER WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11807, 9 August 1900, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

RELIEF OF THE ELANDS RIVER GARRISON.

NEW ZEALAND BOUGH

RIDEES ASSIST

GENERAL lAN HAMILTON

AT RUSTENBUKG.

CLOSING IN ON DE WET

The Future of the "Republics,

Pi-ess Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

DETONATED WITH THEIR OWN DYNAMITE. ■ LONDON, August 7. (Received August 8,. at 8.55 a.m.) Some marauders who were trying to explode the railway line to the- north of Kroonstad were detonated with their own dynamite. PUNISHING RAIDERS. All houses known to be occupied by accomplices of the Boer raiders are being burned by the British. THE ISLANDS RIVER GARRISON. Lord Roberts reports that there fire indications that Sir Frederick Carririgton has relieved the Elands River garrison on his way to Rustenburg. THE FOURTH AND FIFTH CONTINGENTS IN ACTION. August 8. (Received August 8, at 10.45 p.m.) The garrison at Eland's River, holding the Zeerust and Riis.tenburg line, was attacked on the 4th. General Carrington's force, consisting of the Yeomanry and Australian and. New, Zealand Bushmen, .with 15-pounders, went to relieve them. Two days' heavy fighting was heard. It is believed the garrison retired to Zeerust.

General lan Hamilton reached Rustenburg on the sth. CLOSING IN ON DE WET. Brabant's Horse and the Canadian Regiment have reinforced Lord Kitchener, 'who is drawing, a closer.cordon round De Wet. BOERS RESIST FEEBLY. . (Received August 9, at 0.35 a.m.) The Boers are feebly resisting the column from' Middelburg. Another from the southward is advancing on Machadodorp. THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICS. (Received August 8, at 10.45 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain stated that Canada and Australasia were in cemplete accord with Great Britain that it was necessary to annex the South African Republics and establish a military government, with the ultimate concession of local autonomy. MEMORIAL TO A WAR CORRESPONDENT. MELBOURNE, August 8. (Received August 9, at 0.45 a.m.) A 'handsome bronze tablet has been placed in the' Age office in memory of Mr Lambie, the war correspondent, killed in the Transvaal.

THE NEW ZEALAND REMOUNTS.

(Pep. United Pkess Association.) WELLINGTON, August 8. The Stock department is advised of the arrival of the transport Ormazan at East London. About 30 'horses were Jost on the voyage.

INVALIDED SOLDIERS.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 8. News was received to-day by cable by the Governor from the General on the lines of communications, dated Capetown, 2nd August, stating that the s.s. Damascus left Capetown on the 2nd August, and has on board Privates Bennett and Dclarre, New Zealand contingent, who disembark at Melbourne; that Nurse AVarrington is practically convalescent, and that Private 8. M. Freeman, who was reported dead, has sailed by- the Gothic.

WELCOME TO SERGEANT ORBELL. A welcome home to Sergeant Orbell, of the first contingent, was given by his comrades in the Otago Hussars last evening at the Provincial Hotel. Sergeant-major Templeton was in the chair. After justice had been done to the good things provided by Host Gebbie and the toast of " The Queen " had been duly honoured, an excellent programme was gone through. There were present Captain Morris, Lieutenants Pram, Freeman, und Orbell (Otago Hussars), Surgeon-major Coughtrey, Captain Slronach, and Lieutenant Park (of the mounted staff), Captain Price (lately in command of the troop, now on the reserve), with ex-Lieutenant Sievwright, ex-Sergeant James Hislop, and other honorary members of the troop. The toast of "The Army and Navy" was proposed by Sergeant-major Templeton and duly honoured ; Trooper Richards sang " Children of the Empire," Trumpeter Cox and Mr Stokes gave a very acceptable item named " To the Front," arranged as a duet for banjo and mandolin. The Austrian Band at this juncture appeared, and favoured the gathering with a number of patriotic selections. An apology v.'sis read from Trooper Jackson (of the second contingent), expressing regxet at not being able to accept the kind invitation extended to him to be present, but wishing Sergeant Orbell a speedy return to good health.

Captain Morris proposed the toast " Our Returned Comrade, Sergeant Orbell." 11l referring to the occasion which had brought them together that evening, he expressed the very great pleasure ho had in extending a welcome to this the first member of the troop who had returned from South Africa, and referred to the loss felt by himself and brother officers during; last training in October, at the ■absence of so many of the troop in Wellington preparing for active service—non-coms, nnd troopers, who had always bean anxious to keep up the prestige of the troop.

Quartermaster-sergeant liurnsidc, on behalf of the non-coms., expressed the pleasure they had in meeting to do honour to Sergeant Orbcll, who, while he left New Zealand as a trooper, had in active serviee'gaincd his sergeant's stripes.

Sergeant Morice referred to the benefit the sergeants and corporals would receive from the experience of Sergeant Orbell, who had done the work of a non-com, officer on activo service.

Trooper J. B. Thomson, on behalf of his brother irooper?, extended a welcome to their old comrade. The greatest interest was taken by them in the movements of the New Zealand boys in South Africa. J'u'u toast was dviuik with musical honours and-three timed three.

Kx-trooper Ramsay having sung " When the Empire calls,"

I Sergeant Urbell, on rising to reply, received quite an ovation. He said he did not knowhow to express to them tho Ihnttks he felt for the kind reception and welcome they had given him that evening. They had referred /to tile work done by tiie New Zealand contingents. He could only say, on behalf of his comrades and himself, that they were there to do their duty, which they did to the best of their ability, and no man could do more. Referring to the loss of Sergeant Gourley. he said tho late sergeant w.\s a non-com, and a man they could not replace. Always ready to help and do his full share of work, not one ' to order a- tiling to be done, but one who was more ready to say " Corac and let v? do so and so " —in fact a " white man."' They know the hospital was not tho place to cultivate epeaehniaking, so they must excuse him and accept his heartfelt thanks for the kind manner in which the toast of his health had been received. Corporal Millar sang "Anchored," and a short interval was taken in the proceedings, so that old members could renew, and new troopers make, the personal acquaintance of ther guest. Lieutenant Park rose to propose what he considered a very large order, "The-New Zealand Contingent in South Africa," coupled with the name of Trooper Seelye. He referred very feelingly to the first contingent, many of the members being his personal friends', and to the amount of work done by the. second contingent, showing they were all capable of filling a place in tho war to some purpose. He referred to the opinion expressed by a Foreign Attache who was at the front on the New Zealand contingents, and related by Sir David Gill to the Agentgeneral (Mr Beeves) in London—a compliment of which New Zealand might well be proud. Trooper J. B. Thomson"sang "Miss Hooligan's Christmas Cake."

Trooper Seelye got a very hearty reception on rising to respond. He said it was a hard task he had in front of him to suitably reply to the toast proposed by Lieutenant; Park; but not being a member of the Otago Hussars, it might not bo out of place for him to refer to their comrades who were on active service. With regard to Colonel Robin, there was not a man in the contingent but had full confidence in him; and as for Sergeants Hazlett, Ellis, and the others he could not wish for better comrades or truer friends. With regard to the New Zealand horses which had served them so well, many a time they had shared the contents of their' water bottle and biscuits witli them. He thanked them heartily .for coupling his name with the toast.

Captain Price gave a few humorous reminiscences.

Sergeant Morice proposed " Old Comrades in the 0.H.," referring to the work done by them in building up the troop, thereby establishing a standard of exceller.ee which it was every member's duty to maintain. He also referred to the pleasure they had in having exmembers on their honorary member list. This toast was coupled with the names of ex-Lieu-tenant Sievwright and ex-Sergeant Hislop. Sergeant Wood sang "A hot time in the Transvaal."

Mr Sievwright referred to the pleasure it gave him to have still some connection, with tho 0.H., and said he felt proud to be once more with them, and join with them in their welcome to Sergeant Orbell. Mr Hislop, as one of the original members, also spoke of the pleasure it gave them to hear of the success of the old troop.

Sergeant Morice sang "The future Mrs 'Awkins." Mr G. A. Carr played the accompaniments during the evening. A most enjoyable gathering was brought to a close at 11 o'clock by the'singing of "Auld Lang Syne " and " God Save the Queen."

THE PATRIOTIC FUND. Mr G. L. Denniston, hou. treasurer to the above fund, has furnished vis with the following details: — By contributions .. ... .. ..£10,052 4 5 ,Tq, sundry expenses, the bulk of " • which represent the. cost of ' printing pamphlets, etc., the--sale of which brought, in a considerable sum to the fund.. 120 3 G On fixed deposit .. ■ 3,500 0 0' Remitted to Sir. A. Miluer.. .. 300 0 0 Remitted to tho Lord Mayor of Lrfndon .. .. -. 6,000 0 0 Repaid romemnt hind ~ .. .. 100 0 0 Balance in bank .. .. .. .. 31 12 2 Balances in hand 0 8 9 £10,052 4 5

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT,

Some interesting letters, received from some of the Clutha troopers at the front, are published in the Clutha Leader, from which we make the following extracts: —

" I have ,taken a great fancy to thisdis•trict," says' a Clutha trooper writing from north of the Vaal River, " which seems-to be very fertile, besides having such rich goldfields. Fred Wilson, too, seems to have a great idea of staying" here, but intends to go back and see you all first. Hugh Smith, I think, intends to go back to New Zealand and then return here'ag'ain. George SmyUi intends to stay here, and has got a billet in tho police." " Two days before we came to Johannesburg we had a small skirmish, for which we got both praise and a little blame. The second and third contingents were sent forward and we sunported them. When once they got to work the General could not stop them; in fact one of our fellows overheard the following conversation: —A major asked a" when they were going to camp?" The reply was, "As soon as I can get those d d New. Zealanders back." "Oh! .you've let them loose, have you?" remarked the other. The next day tho General lined us ilp and said: " New. Zealanuers, I have_ to compliment you on tho successful skirmish you had yesterday, and I will have much pleasure in mentioning your conduct in despatches to Lord Roberts: at the same time, in your eagerness to get at the enemy you must not forget that you are not the whole army, and that by pushing too far forward you ■ may seriously compromise the General by bringing on an engagement."—Extract from Clutha soldier's letter.

Trooper W. Bunten, writing from Golden-' huis on Juno 20 to Mr J. TV. Wilson, Balclutha, says that there have been great, changes in the contingents. ■ The authorities invited any of them who had had a. railway or clerking experience to send in their names if they wanted a billet. Trooper Bvmten did so, and was appointed stationmaster at Geldenhuis station. Proceeding1, the writer says:—"There is another New Zealander with me, Charlie Lewin (a first contingent man), and we are having a first-class time. We have a nicn house to live in, and two black boys as servants. 1 doubt very much if this is a permanent appointment, but it is a great improvement on sleeping out on the veldt. The former stationro.aster told me that the salary he got Was £25 per month. If they offer me anything like that I shall stay here. At present there is very little to do here, as De Wet has blown up the lino down south, and of course there is no passenger traffic. In ordinary limes I think this will be a fairly busy place, as it is right in the heart of the Rand mines, the Geldenhuis Deep Mine, which is just in front of my house, being one of tho best mines on the field. We are only about four miles from Johannesburg. Fred (Wilson) has not applied for any of the billets, but 'intends to go home and see you all, and then come back. Hugh Smith has applied for a billet in the Mounted Police, also^Geo. Smyth and W. Reuton. I think they have made up their minds to stay here. Walter Johnson is porter at Elandsfontein, a large station about three miles from here. Fred Wilson is the only man left with tho troop. Ho has kept in splendid health, and is as strong as a bullock. I think that the contingent has about finished its work now, very few of the horses being fit to do anything, and I think the majority of the men have had enough." The North Otago Times states that a. letter has been received from Corporal Hillo, of Kurow, a member of the second contingent, in which ho says he has been laid up for a short time in a small place six miles from Johannesburg.

A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE FROM PRETORIA. A Government Gazette Extraordinary, dated Pretoria, Juno 20, has been received by Mr Hazlott, of this city, from his son, Sergeant Hazlctt, of .the first contingent, and is intoreE'tins as showing tho immense amount of work thrown on Lord Roberts nnd his officers in administering the affairs of tho Transvaal. Everything had to be regulated and provided for. from the appointing of a marriage commissioner to the guaranteeing of personal saicty and freedom from molestation to non-combatants. Each proclamation is printed in English and Dutch. Aftor mak-

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ing known in the first proclamation the conditions under which safety and freedom are guaranteed, the second makes regulations under ■which stock may be taken and paid for. The third forbids the sale of wines or spirits except under a special permit; while the fourth. is a. police notice under which civilians must remain indoors from 7 p.m. till 6.30 a.m. Natives are forbidden to enter the town. Liquor stores, bars, eating houses, and jewellers' shops are closed, and no civilian must ride or drive within .the town without a pass. This and the subsequent notices are signed, by Major-general J. G. Maxwell, Military Governor of Pretoria. No. 5 forbids the removal of furniture from unoccupied houses, and the occupation of empty houses. In No. 6 the restrictions on mining are set out, and Nos. 7 and 8 mdke provision for passes to natives. No. 9 fixes the maximum prices which may be charged for foodstuffs sind ar-' ticles for consumption. For brandy 90s the case is the price, butter 2s 6d per lb, bread 6d per lb, and so on. All public buildings are declared closed, and all officials of tho late Government are ordered to give up Go-. vornmeiit keys in their possession. It is notified that Mr Emrys Evans is appointed financial adviser to the Field-marshal. Lieutenantcolonel Maxse was appointed Commissioner o£ Police, and the officers under him are named. No. 15 declares the Pretoria Market open, and the form of the oath of neutrality is at-, tached. No. 16 notifies that postage' stamps are about to bo issued. No. 17 gives notice that persons circulating false and malicious reports will be punished, and notifies.that an,, official bulletin of news will be published.' In No. 18 the appointment of MrLoveday as burgomaster is made known, and then cornea a list of the six banks allowed to do busi--ness. In No. 22 notice is given of the setting up of a High Court, with Mr 'Billiard a? chief magistrate, and ttith Captain T. M'lnerney, of Victoria, as Queen's advocate.!The Field-marshal then makes a proclamation dealing with those who were damaging the. railways, and doing other wanton mischief. >

The Military Governor notifies the commandeering of all building material, and then wiirns all persons from dealing with a cheque for £40,000 drawn on the Banque Francaise. After this notices appear with reference to a post office, tho leper hospital, passas to war correspondents, complaints or charges against soldiers, appointment of J.P.s, etc. :

NOTES FROM BEIRA. Trooper W. H. Buckland, a member af tlmt fourth, contingent, appears to be of an ob* servant turn of mind, and in his letters t<fi his parents, from which we are permitted t<* make some extracts, supplies some information, which has not yet been published. Referring to the country at the back of Beira, he says:-— "Wherever the ground lias been burnt, the grass is beautiful and green, and a great number of flowers have sprung up. The country at the back of Beira is beautiful tq--look at.All the landscape is dotted with small, natural, plantations of palms and forest trees of a most vivid green. Between these clumps of' forest are plains of rich grass. "When we, were drilling to-day it commenced to rain, heavily, and we took refuge in a clump of ' forest. I dismounted with the rest, and. went on an exploring expedition. I wish I was a. botanist; you>can't imagine what a variety of trees and plants there were. One plant took) my fancy. It was a creeping lily, with." four or five beautiful flowers. There are a great variety of palms, coeoanut, dak, and many other*?. I never go out without seeing something new; wherever the ground has been burnt there are a great number of giant snail sheila lying about. These shells 'are between three and four inches long, and the broad end about two and a-half inches across. This same day in drilling we turned up some' fine deer, and a great number of wild fowl. The captain does not allow us to go deer' hunting now, because the last lot who went out over-rode their horees, with the result that" two died the same night. Whenever a horse dies, it is dragged several hundred yards from the camp by howling niggors, and there burnt. This is all right, I suppose," as far as stopping the spread of disease; but about 3 p.m., when the night breeze comes off the sea, .it brings along the smell of these dead beasts—awful! There are five thousand Yeo-. manry going through here to tho. front■> they are good-natured fellows, but very few of them can ride. We all find the climate quite pleasant if. it was not for the mosquitoes; one poor fellow is in hospital through them. I don't think this is a country for a civilised being to settle in; it is only fit for exploring parties. Altogether we are having. a good time, though tucker is a scarce commodity. The Imperial rations are ridiculously small; but the officers get just the same as the men,: and if they want anything extra they have to buy it with their own cash.- One thing, we. are paid good wages, and have plenty to buy all we want. What a pity there are no rab-' bits here. How we would relish a fresh rabbit. They should be. introduced, arid then these poor natives Would have meat to eat." Poor boggars, theirs is a miserable life. While they are working they get 5s a'weak,: and are fed on rice flavoured with fish.".

Our Alexandra correspondent telegraphs that Trooper Culling, one of Alexandra's representatives at the front, who was invalidedreturned to Alexandra . yesterday,, and received an impromptu but unmistakably sincere and hearty welcome. The official w.el-, come takes place this evening.