THi CENTRAL POSITION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11727, 20 January 1900, Page 2

THE CENTRAL POSITION.

PARTICULARS OF THE AUSTRALIAN TROOPS' REVERSE,

A DUTC)H FARMER'S TREACHERY

Received January 20, 1 50 a.m.

Capetown, January 19-.— lt ii, variously estimated that fi'om 16 td 25 nlen, commanded by Lieutenant Dowling, tif the Ist Australian Horse, on Tuesday, reconnditred towards Norval's Pont. While returning in the afternoon they encountered 60 to 100 Bderg. The Cdldnials faced fdr a lieighbduring kdp'je, intending td hold it until relieved. A volley from the Boers, who were in ambush on the kdp'je, k' jlled half the horsas. The Colonials encountered a similar reception at a second kopje, but started again, maintaining a gallant running fight. • A few of Captain Rimington's scouts arrived towards the close of the fi^ht. One, named Bennett, charged wit.i tic greatest determination,rescuingawoun ! ILancer. Three well-mounted Colonials reached camp, and reported that two were killed and 14 captured, .of whom it is fearod seven or eight are badly wounded, as the Boera were seen carrying some and helping others who were unable to walki Lieutenant DoWling was* taken prisoner. •< 'The mishap is attributed to the treachery of a .Dutch firmer, who, it is believed, warned the Boors of tho whereabouts of tho patrol, thus enabling them to advance tio ad to compel tho Lancers to rcti'eat on tha ambushed kopje. Londox, January 16. — Tho Daily Mail's correspondent stutos that the patrol sent oil Wednesday to the scene of the Lancers' action found tho doad body df Griffiths, Of tho South Australian Hoi'se, and also Corporal Kilpatrick, of the Lancers, who was badly wounded. Several dead Boers and a horse were found on the spot. All the Boer casualties were removed.

A Reuter's message first states that two escaped arid returned to camp. A later message states that six more raiiirned, including one who, when his horse Was shot, lay hidden until tho Boers retire 1. The face of one body recovered Was shattered, 1 presumably by an explosh 0 bullet.

Tl.o Times' correspondent at Rensburg cables that six returned and 14 are missing, the casualties be'ng one killed and one dangerously wounded. The press deeply regret ti e incident, which is insop. rable from guerilla warfare. They acknowledge the great gallantry displayed by the Colonials. ' No official information of the incidant has been received.

Svdxky, January 19.-— There is some doubt whether the SGuth Australian troops were oi gaged in the patrol, as the first contingent was unmounted. Possibly they have been confused with the First Australian Horse. No Griffiths i s mentioned in tho South Australian force, while the New South Wales Lancers have a trooper of that name, and tho Australian Horse a non-commissioned officer named Griffon.