THE BOER WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 5

THE BOER WAR.

BOER ATTACKS REPULSEr A COMMANDANT KILLED. STILL FOLLOWING DE WET THE SHOOTING OF A PEACE ENVOY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright! BOERS ATTACK A TRAIN. ' DISPERSING THE BOERS. LONDON, January 30. (Received Jan. 31, at 9.17 a.m.) A party of Boers attacked a train that was standing at a station on the Belagoa line. - The driver of the train shot Com l mandant Liebrandt dead whilst he was tampering with, the vacuum brake. The rest of the Boers turned and fled. General Smith-Dorrien has dispersed the Boers around Carolina. The British had four killed and 18 wounded. THE CAPE INVADERS. . (Received Jan. 31, at 9.22 a.m.) Forty Boers attacked 15 Yeomanry at Gammoga Pass, in Cape Colony. They fled in the direction of Calvinia after sub* taining some losses. THE PURSUIT OP DE WET. General Knox engaged De Wet 40 miles north of Thabanchu, in order to prevent him making an attempt at the reinvasion of the Cape. DAMAGE TO MINING PROPERTY. The Boers entered Boksburg on the 29tb and damaged the Modderfontein and Vanryn mines". Commandant Marais and two Boers were captured. THE SHOOTING OF A PEACE. . ENVOY. DE WET GIVES THE ORDER. ! LONDON, January 31. (Received Feb. 1, at 0.10 a.m.) The commissioner at Kroonstad obtained the evidence of an eye witness that Gsmmandant Froneman cruelly sjamboked the peace envoy Morgandaal on January 10, when De Wet ordered him to be shot. Froneman then shot Morgandaal withouttrial.

A MUTINY AT ST. HELENA. LONDON, January 31.(Received Feb. 1, at 0.10 a.m.) Owing to the bluejackets and .West Indian soldiers at St. Helena quarrelling, the latter placed barricades and mutined. Finally, under threat of the Gloucester' artillery fire, the mutineers surrendered. RETURNING HOME. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 31. The following New Zealanders left Capetown by the Rimutaka on the 26th:—A. Western, D. Fulton, J. G. Wilson, R. G. Sasby, 0. C. Roberts, and W. Allan. RETURNED FROM THE WAR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 31. By the Westralia, to-day Major Madocks, the hero of the New Zealand Hill fight, returned to the colony. Major Maddocks liai been pulled down a good deal iby malarial fever, and, though not quite well yet, he is -nuking good progress towards recovery. It was the intention of the officers of the various volunteer corps in Wellington to give him a hearty welcome, but on account of the early hour at .which the ship came alongside the wharf there was not sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements. He was, however, welcomed by the Commander of the Forces (Colonel Penton) and a number of' private friends. Another passenger by the Westralia war Lieutenant Walker, of the third New Zealand contingent, who has been promoted from the rank of sergeant. He has been in charge of a pom-pom battery, served by a mixed detachment of Lancers, Hussars, and colonials, and has seen a, good deal of service in the Free State. ' An accident while riding a young horse necessitated his temporary retirement, but he hopes soon to be able to return to the front. The Westralia also brought back some members of the first contingent and several young colonials who left New Zealand to try their fortunes in South Africa and joined one of the colonial forces. They were Privates Orange, Bowcher, and Scott (first contingent), Privates Geary, Hamilton, Perks, and A. Henderson (Kitchener's Horse), Privates Pufiett, W. H. Thompson, - and Krugh (South African Light Horse). Thompson is well known as a cyclist, and started in South Africa as a bicycle despatch rider to the Imperial forces. As that kind of service did not come up to his expectations, lie transferred to the South African Light Horse, and was with General Buller's forces through the Natal campaign. The South African Light Horse were in no less than 53 engagements under General Buller, who, Private Thompson asserts, was the finest man in the army, and beloved by those who served under him. All the men to -whom I spoke say that the war will last for a considerable time, and that the sixth contingent will find plenty of occupation. The officers and troopers who arrived this morning were entertained at luncheon by the Government. Mr Ward presided, on his right being Major Madocks, and on bis left Lieutenant Walker, Colonel Penton, the Ministers of Education, Native Affairs, Public Works, and Customs and Marine. The Mayor of Wellington, the chairman of the Harbour Board, Messrs Atkinson- and Fraser, M.H.R.'s, and the' editors of the Wellington daily papers were also present. The Acting-Premier, in a few brief and appropriate remarks, proposed the health of the returned troopers, coupled with the names of Major Madocks and Lieutenant Walker, while Major Madocks and Lieutenant Walker responded, and spoke of the high name won by the New Zealanders in South Africa. Colonel Penton also spoke a few words of appreciation. Colonel Francis left bythe north express yesterday morning for Christchurch. Colonels Webb and Wales, Adjutant Stronach, Mr R. Chisholm (mayor), the Hon. W. M. Bolt, and Messrs Kempthorne and C. R. Smith (Patriotic Committte) wero among the friends who assembled to see him off. Three cheers were heartily given, on the call of the Mayor, aa the train moved off. A Christchuroh telegram states that on arrival there a large number of personal friends and officers gave Colonel Francis a heartv greeting. The Oamaru Mail states that Mr Crawshaw received a cable from his son, Captain Crawshaw, to the effect that the wound ho received' pierced only the muscles of the back, and that there was no danger whatever."