THE AGENT-GENERAL AND THE BOER WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 30

THE AGENT-GENERAL AND THE BOER WAR.

Mr Peter Barr Las received a letter from the Hon. "\V. P. Reeveb, Agent-general for the colony, in which he f-ays : — ' " 1 am exceedingly obliged to you for your %'cry friendly letter and your good-natured references to the rather filly attacks made on me in New Zealand over the telegram-is which I had been sending to the Government about the war in South Africa. The telegrams, which were official messages scut under instructions, were naturally laconic aud dry in tone. Official messages usually are. Moreover, the language had to be made, as far as possible, to fit the telegraphic code we u«e, and so save money. My sole endeavour was to give the Government a correct notion of tho real truth, and if I had tried to do anything else I should have deserved severe censure. I was not surprised that certain persons thought my telograms lackin™ in cheerfulnecs and fervour, but it was not my business to fan the flame of public enthusiasm, only to keep the Government posted as to what I believed were the facts. If I had cabled out such messages as that General White defeated the Boers on November 9, inflicting a loss on them of 300 men; or that 80 Boers-were killed with the bayonet at Willow Grange, in Natal, some weeks later : or that General- Galccre shot the mounted policeman who guided "him the wrong way at Stormberg, aad then burst into sobs and tears ; or that Cronje's men made him surrender because he had lost 8000 men : or that Joubert admitted that the Boers had lost ?OOG men at Spion Hop : or that tho Boers had €0,000 or 100,000 'men in the field, including many thousand foreign mercenaries — if, I say, I had telegraphed such childish and ridiculous falsehoods as these (all of which I understand have appeared in some newspapers in New Zealand). I should not. I daresay, have been called names in last February and March by hot-headed and angry peorj'le. But what would sober, level-headed men have said of mo later on when the truth became known? I should imagine that the whole enisode is pretty well forgotten by this time. As for the stuff about my sympathising with the wro/i3 side and trying to cast reflections upon the British army, etc., etc., it is really too crazy for serious notice. I confers it amazed me when first I 'heard of it, but I do not propose to trouble anyone about it further. I v;as an Imperialist before Imperialism was as fashionable as it is now, and have been for some years a member of the Executive Committee of the British Empire League, to which body most of the leading Imperialists in the Empire belong-. Ido not like wars of ony kind, and believe that peace is, on the whole, the greatest of public blessings. _When, however, my country is involved in a war, I sincerely hope and desire that she may triumph ; and that is my heartfelt wish in the ease of the South African war."

Trooper Mitchell, of the first contingent, who has been invalided from South Africa, is expected to leach Dtmedin by the Flora this morning. Sergeant-major J.W. Wilson and Sergeant Fleming, of the Clutha Mounted Rifles, of which corps Mitchell was a member, came to Dunedin last evening", and -will welcome the returning warrior. These gentlomen, it may be mentioned, went to Wellington to see the contingent depart, and there is thus a fitness in their welcoming back the invalided Clutha trooper. Trooper G. Mitchell, a member of the first contingent, arrived in. Dunedin yesterday morning by the steamship Flora from Wellington. Trooper Mitchell was stricken down with fever at Springfield, and, after being m the field hospital for a short time, was sent to Bloemfontein, where he partially re--covered, and then had a relapse. He remained in Bloemfontein for about a couple of months, and, having become, to a certain extent, convalescent, was sent to Wynberg Hospital. On regaining health, he showed a utrongr desire to go to the front- again, but measures were taken to prevent this. He left the Cape by the steamer Wilcannia, transhipped on board the s.s. Mokoia, which took him to Wellington, and came thence by the JPloia. It may be mentioned that it was Trooners Mitchell and Dickinson who picked up poor Gourley after he was shot at New Zealand Hill. Yesterday Trooper Mitchell was taken about by Mr C. R. Smith, tfie secretary of the Patriotic Committee. In the morning ho was met by Mr Hazlett, with whom he went to the Town Hall, where he was made welcome by the Mayor (Mr Chisholm). Trooper Mitchell, like all the returned men, speakn in terms of very high praise of the attention he received at the .hands of Mr Pilcher, at the Cape. All the men say thai Mr -Pilcher has been kindness itself to ,tliem, and that they cannot sufficiently thank him. Trooper Mitchell, who belongs to the Clutha, returns home by this morning's train.

Trooper Mitcholl, who arrived lieve on Thursday morning, continued hi& journey on Fiiday to his home at Balelutha, where he received a very cordial welcome. A partial holiday was proclaimed in honour of the occafcion, and the mayor, councillors, and practically the whole town turned out to welcome the invalided trooper. AH the buildings were gaily decorated with bunting, and the railway station was crowded. The Warepa section of the Clutha Mounted Rifles turned out, under Captain Pennycock. On the arrival of the tram Mr Li'?\oil. Mayor of Balclutha, welcomed Trooper Mitchell back, while Captain PennycooL, on behalf of the troop, did likewise. Trooper Mitchell, in a biiof speech, thanked them for the very warm, welcome extended to him. After this a procession -was" formed. Tiooper Mitchell, along with his relations, and the mayor occupied a crag, the

Clulha Rifieo forming a guard of honour, with a band in the lead, and the borough councillois, school child l on, and the public iollowing. The horseb were detached from Ihe drag when the mam street was reached, au^ a number of euihiisiabtb look their place nil arrival at Mr Mitchell's house, winch had been beautifully decoiated, while a welcome arch had been erected over the gate. After lunch ; which was provided by Mr Mitchell, and to which about 40 person** sat down, ihe toast of "Trooper Mitchell and his Parents" was honoured very enthusiastically. Trooper iiitchell wai ei> lenamed at dinner on Friday Light under the auspices of his old corpe, tho Clutha Mounted Rifles, when an appropriate toast list was gone through.

Trooper Mitchell, of the firot contingent, who iret with such a cordial reception at Balclutha on Friday; was entertained at a dinner the same evening under the auspices of his old corps, the Ciutha Mounted Rifles, about 60 persons being present, inclusive of 30 members of the above-mentioned corpp. Captain Pcnnycook presided, and the guest and his father sai on his right, while Surgeoncaptain Fleming occupied the vice-chair. After partaking of the good things provided by. the host, Mr Allan, of the Crown Hotel, a, lengthy toast list was gone through, inler-sperac-d with songs and lecitations. Trooper Mitchell spoke for about half an hour en incidents connected with the campaign, and gave a graxihic description of the fight en New Zealand Hill, in which he participated ; in fact, he and Trooper Dickson removed Sergeant Gourley out of fire when the lastnamed unfortunately received his deathwound. The closing toast, '" Those Killed in Action," which was proposed by Surg-eon-"captain Fleming, was honoured in silence. In proposing the toast, feeling reference was made to the death of Captain Harvey.

A public meeting, convened by the mayor, was held in the Hawksbury Borough Council Chambers on iriday night, the object being to make arrangements for the celebration cf Peace Day. The Mayor presided, and about gentlemen were present. It i\on decided that the celebration take the form of thanksgiving services in the morning, followed by a ir>onster procession and picnic and sports, with a social in the evening. Strong committeeo were formed, canvassers appointed, and it was also decided to ask the Karitane, Flag Swamp, and Merton Schools and residents to co-operate. The committee then adjourned till Friday next at 8 p.m.

The committee of the Otago Boys' High School ivr.r memorial fund have been much gratified by the receipt of 11 subscriptions aggregating £12 Is 6d from '• old boys " in the service of one of the commercial houses in the city.. This practical evidence of interest in and loyalty to the '" old school " is highly appreciated, and it is hoped that '" old boys " m the employ of other firms will club together in a similar way in seeking to do honour to tho r e former school fellows who have gone to the front in the South African war. now happily nearing a successful termination.

Trooper Prosscr, of the first contingent. who ha^ been invalided home, in. the course of an interview with a Lyttelton Tim&s re porter, said: — The British "Tommy" was rough-uncl ready, a good fighter, and well drilled, and did not seem to care much whether he got shot or not. Colonel Robin was a very good officer and as brave a.( any other man out there, and that was saying a good deal. Trooper Prosser also spoke most highly of Captain Madocks.' In fact, in his opinion, all the New Zealand oflieors were good, and he never wished to be under belter officers than. Colonel Robin or Captain Madocki if ho went to war again. Trooper Prosser Ma& ill at the time the men volunteered for the Mounted Police. The reason the men joined the police was, in the first place, because they thought the war was about finished; and, in the second piece, they knew they would have as much work as with the regiment. Anyhow, it was work that had to be done, and tho New Zealanders, being suited for the work, got the preference. The New Zealand nur.= es are very well spoken of in South Africa, and are generally ]iked. Trooper Prasser, who was invalided with enteric at Woterval, was there attended by Nurse Teape, for whose work he is unable to &ay c nough. The hospitals were well arranged wherever it- was possible to get supplies to them; in fact, the inmates were as well treated as tl-ey would be in a hospital at Ohristchurch.

The Special Peace Committee met in the mayor's room. Port Chalmers, on Monday evening, his Worship the Mayor (Mr D. A. De Mans) occupying the chair. It was arranged that the children from the Port Chalmers District High School, the Sawyers' Bay, Purakanui. Lower Harbour, and Kaik echools be invited to take part-in the morning demonstration. In the afternoon there is to be a, tradesmen's display, and the elaborate programme suggested by his Worship (already published). The evening demonstration will include a realistic picture of an attack and capture of a kopje, and other attractive features.

A Wellington telegram says: — "The balance sheet of the Wellington More Men Fund Committee shows that the total subscriptions amounted to £7286. The committee have a balance of £570 in the bank."

Writing from the Masonic Hall Hospital. Johannesburg, to a friend in Dunedin, Nurse Bessie Hay makes this comforting statement : " You will have read a good deal about this hospital Eca'ndal out here. Thank goodness, I have not -worked in any hospital such as I see described in the papers, and I have nursed in Cape Colony Orange River Colony, and the Transvaal. For those who have friends here it mu*t be very terrible to read of the dreadful things which are said to go on, but I have not seen anything of such things."

Mr L. Wilson' (secretary to the Otago High School war memorial fund) acknowledges receipt of contributions from the following persons: — J. S. Gordon, C. H. Gordon, Lionel D. Cox, Dr R. H. Hogg (Invercargill), Eden' Bowler, G. S. Stephenson, P. Hercus, E. D. Nimmo, 0. S. Black, R. Nichol, A. Gilchrist, J. D. D., Herbert Webb, J. Allan Thomson, Stewart Thomson, Rev. A. Begg (Tapanui), Dr E. H. Alexander, J. W. Thomson, C. L. F. (second donation), John Murray (Clarksville), W. H. Mander (Wyndham). J. B. Moodie (Gore), J. H. Ussher (Gore), Herbert Fulton (West Taieri), P. Hislop, W. H. Hislop, C. Clemison (Sawyers' Bay), R. W. Brown (Christchurch), J. H. Preston (Black Forest, Burkes Pass), M. Stuart Holmes (Kakanui), Dr P. A. Lindsay (Auckland). W. T. Hazlett (Invercargill), L. 0. Hazlett, Mi&& Shand (Moray place), John Wright, A. A. Langley, R. M'Lennan.

The excellent qualities of Cowgrass, both ap a fodder plant and pasturing for all kinds of stock, are cauping a vapidly-increasing demand each year for seed. The advantage? of sowing acclimatised seed of good quality being manifest, attention is directed to the Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association advertisement in another columujj^