DETERMINED TO GET TO SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2408, 26 April 1900, Page 12

DETERMINED TO GET TO SOUTH AFRICA.

Neither rejection from our contingents oti account of his youth nor a deficiency of funds could damp the ardour of one young New Zealander fco take part in the South African campaign. His efforts, which were at lasfc_ successful, to rnach Capetown have about them an element of romance, for the lad was only 17 years of age. l'irst of all he attempted to stow away on the Waiwera with the ITirat Contingent, but failed. Then he stowed away on the Mokoia to Sydney, hoping there to get a free passage by the Warrigal with the New South Wales troops. Tha youngster missed that vessel, however, but, nothing daunted, he crept on to the Southern Cross, the next troopship to leave Sydney, and eventually reached his destination. The boy, surely the younger New Zealander on active service, now writes to his parents from Capetown, under date February 27: — "Deaf Dad and Mother. — By the time you get this I will be up al the front, as I have joined tlte JJiike of Teck''; Irish Brigade, and leave next wcplc. I expect you were wondering why I did not write. Well, 1 missed the Warrigal in Sydney, and had to Ftow on the Southern Cross, and just arrived here on the 20th. My thumb was crushed by a door in the freezer on board, so you must excuse the writing. On Sunday, the 251h, I went down to the wharf, and the iirst person 1 saw was Harry, just landing from the Waiwera with the Second New Zealand Contingent. I went up to cp.j"np with him, and joined the Duke of Teck's troop next morning. I have just got my uniform, which is just like Harry's. I will write fuller next time, that is, if I pass through the first fight. We don't knowwhere we are to go till the last minute. It may he to Kimberley or Colensc. I must say good-bye, as stiiblea'is sounding. Give my love to all. If I get killed, well, it is over, and if I don't I will write. Don't worry, because all things will come, right.^ I remain, your loving son, Feed."

A little girl named Murray, 5 years of age, was playing about some burning furze at Archill, Auckland, a few days ago, when her dress became ignited. A young man named Thomson immediately jumped from a verandah —a drop of 10ft, —and beat out the flames vith his bare hands. The girl escaped with' slight injuries, but Thomson was severelyburnt, and has been unable to use his right hand since.