THE SEDDON-TAYLOR CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 36

THE SEDDON-TAYLOR CASE.

COLOXEL PORTER INTERVIEWED. GISBORNE, February 25."

Colonel Porter, one of the witnesses subpoenaed in the Seddon-Taylor case, but not called, was interviewed by the Herald and asked to maite a statement regarding the incident in South Africa which led up to the action, it being pointed out that, as the officer who conducted t':e regimental inquiry, ho' would be in the best position to furnish an accurate account of the proceedings. Colonel Porter said he would give the facts without comment, neither party having been previously informed by him.. The responsibility rested upon him, as officer in charge of the regiment, to clear up reflections on a regiment which had behaved so well throughout the war. There was no court-martial, which was a court held under the Army Act and the King's regulation ; neither was there a martial court, which was a term unknown in the military vocabulary. He, as the officer commanding, held the inquiry, having held several similar on various occasions, to satisfy himsalf as to what had occurred. Ib was held the same evening Captein Seddon gifve him a written report. He then took the evidence of some^ officers and men who ~were called as witnesses in the late action, obtaining statements from all parties in the field. The conclusion he came to and 1 reported to the officers commanding was; by reference to his rough diary, as fellows : "I held an inquiry into the action at 9 p.m., and found co blame attachable. All acted as best they could have done, and behaved well."

Colonel Porter, continuing:, said that on .the evening before the Blesbok or Kaffir Spruit engagement they drove the enemy back, and saw a large mob of cattle. Colonel Grey asked for 100 men to go and bring the cattle in. The scouts went some miles in advance, and then supports got in touch with the enemy. They fell back on the supports, and whilst doing so the Boers commenced to outflank them. Had there been any delay the whole force would have been cut off at the drift, and the column, being seven or eight miles away, they would receive no assistance. There was a race for the drift. A mistake had been made by the commander of the column in sending the squadron out, believing that there were no Boers in the vicinity. There was undoubtedly great risk in sending them after the cattle. Had the scouts fallen back earlier not a man would have been killed. They were, however, eager to get the oattle. Captain Seddon on the previous evening was in a tight corner. The Beers were driven back, and for several miles Captain. Ssddon led> in front of his men so closely that he was rebuked by Colonel White for rashness. On other occasions, in Orange •River Colony, when. De la Rey attempted to rescue a convoy, Captain Seddon was bringing up the rear and protecting the convoy. He was unsupported, but dashedback to the ridge, and prevented the re_eapture, being highly complimented by Major Bauchop.