WELL DONE,NEW ZEALAND!

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 32

WELL DONE, NEW ZEALAND!

HIGH PRAISE IN DESPATCHES.

(Prom Otjh Own Cobbesponeent.)

LONDON, May 11.

Lasl week 1 referred to the praise given by Lord Roberts, in his official despatch, to the New Zealand contingents, and especially to Major Robin and Captain Madoeks. General French's despatches to .Lord Roberts, which go more into detail, have since been published, and it will be interesting if I quote some of •the principal passages. „ General French, in his despatch regaromg th.9 Colesberg affair, says: — "I wssh particularly to bring to notice the excellent conduct and bearing of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, commanded by Major A. W. Robin, on one of these occasions. •'On the 18th December I" took them_out with a battery of horse artillery to reconnoitre round the enemy's left fi»nk, and determined to dislodge him from a farm called Jasfontein, lying on his left rear. The guns shelled the farm, and the New Zealand Mounted Rifies then gained possession Oi v. But the enemy very suddenly brought up strong reinforcements, and pressed on us wuli his artillery. Our artillery had been left some way behind to avoid this latter fire, and i had to send back some distance for its support, during which time we were exposed to i, heavy musketry fire from the surrounding Mils. The conduct of the New _ Zealanders was admirable in thug maintaining a aittieult position till the artillery caused the enemy to retire. , , " About the 27th December the enemy began to show signs of yielding to tins continual pressure on his flanks and rear, and on -Jie 29th finally evacuated his position and fell back on Colesbecg. As these movements •were ckieny carried out in the night, antl the enemy has great mobility, it was impossible to harass or intercept his rStreat. " At daybreak on the morning of die fiuin December I left Arundol with a small force of cavalry and artillery to reconnoitre towards Colesberg. We found the enemy m possession of that place. ... ' " I cannot speak too highly of the gallantry displayed by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Royal Horse Aruil--ery or of the coolness, intrepidity, and etn■ciency with which they stood to and worked their guns. Eventually ttisy succeeded in silencing the enemy s artillery. Over night, I had ordered Colonel Porter, bth Dragoon Guards, to move out from Jhens%urg with the force named (2 guns, Royal Borse Artillery; 2 squadrons Carabmeere; 1 company New Zealand Mounted RiSes) to ■porter's Hill, which was held by one equad-i-on of the Carabineers and one company oi Zealand Mounted Infantry. His orders were to ascertain the state of our operations at daybreak, and to co-operate. " This he did throughout the day, with the greatest effect at Porters Hill and along the southern face of the position. The New Zealand Mo-anted RiSes made a most gallant attempt to effect a footing in the south-western -corner, but were obliged to retire -ceiore sreatly superior numbers. ... - " The guns were brought into action m a good position. The Carabineers and IV ew Zealand ' Mounted Rifies occupied the enemy in front, whilst the Household Cavalry gained a, good position on his lefl flank. . • • - "On the 15th an attack was made by the enemy on my advanced post at Slinger s farm. This is a high and rather steep bill, surrounded by a good deal of 'dead ground. The first was held by one company Yorkshire Regiment and one company New Zealand Mounted Rifles, and W in charge of Captain Orr, Yorkshire Regiment. For some time during the mornino- of the 15th the enemy engaged • : n heavy and continuous firing at long ranges from the whole of his position opposite this post. At about 10 a.m. a movement was developed which appeared to indicate an attack on the east side" of the hill, where there was some cover, and the ground favoured it. "Whilst this threat wa3 in progress the firing from the enemy's main position was continued with great vigour. When the attention of our troops was chiefly engaged in ■watching for this attack on the east it was Suddenly reported that a large body of tho isnemy had established themselves at the fool of the western slope, which was very steep, and were creeping up the hill, taking all the advantage of cover from rocks, etc. When the Boers found that their real attack was thus apparent, they opened a hot fire from their position on the western slope. Captain Orr at once fell, badly wounded, and the Ser-gaant-major was killed. The enemy came on h/isldy, and the moment was critical, feaplain Madocks (New Zealand Mounted Rifles) saw the critical situation of the Yorkshires, and that they were practically without "' leader. With the greatest promptitude he Cook a few of his men to the west side of the "till, and rallied the troops holding it. He caused them to line their entrenchments and *tern the enemy's advance, which had now become very bold, several of our men having fallen from their fire. Captain Madceks then jumped up, prave the order lo fix bayonets and charge down the hill, upon which the leading Boers immediately turned and ran down tho hill, followed by many others, who had been, undsr cover of rocks, etc., un-

seen. Our troops poured many well-directed volleys on the retreating enemy, who left 21 men dead at the foot of one hill, and it is estimated that their loss in wounded could not be less than 50.

"The greatest credit is due to Captain Madoeks and his Now Zealanders for their prompt action.

'' On the 18th inst. Major-general Clements, D.5.0., having arrived with two regiments of the 12 th Brigade (the Royal Irish and the Worcestershire), 1 placed him in command of all the troops at and east of Slinger's farm. The battalions were posted at that place, and occupy a good commanding position, which has been well fortified and entrenched.

" General Clements has also at Slinger's one company of New Zealand Mounted Rifles, on-3 squadron, and four guns ; Colonel Porter, 6th Dragoons, with four squadrons, two guns, and one company of infantry, is posted at a farm called Potfontein, sorno eight miles east, and a little- poulh of Slinger's. " Major Riming ton, with his Corps of Guides, has been moved from Jasfontein to a position about five miles north of ColonelPorter, called Klcinfonlein. He has with him, besides his Guides, one squadron of cavalry and one company New Zealand Mounted Rides. He is in command of this, post, whence ho is able to watch and patrol' the whole valley running north-east "to a point about six miles south-east of -Norvals Pont.

" Major A. W. Robin, commanding New Zealand Mounted Infantry, deserves special mention lor the frequent occasions upon which ho and -his men have performed signal service during thesa operations. "X have already mentioned one of thnss affairs on the Jlsth of January (the attack on New Zealand ±±ill), and with it the name of Captain W. R. N. Madoeks, whose services on. that occasion are well worthy or recognition."