THE TRANSVAAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 10 May 1901, Page 3

THE TRANSVAAL.

■A PEACE- ENVOYi,

Received 9.2 a.m., May 9tft> LONDON, May 8.

Mrs Botha visits- Europe to inform Mr Kruger of the hopelessness of resistance, and of the terrible state of the country. She. carries Mm a pathetic letter from Mrs Kruger.

AUSTRALIANS IN" PUBSUIT,

GENERAL PLUMEB DBIVING THE BOERS, ■l'HV.fk "WIVES AND CHILDREN LEET BEHIND, Received 10.40 p.nt', May 9UL LONDON, May 9. Botha end Ben Vfljoen have occupied Carolina. Captain VialTSj, of She Western Australian Bushmen, -with 260 picked men and horses pursued Cfcmiaandant Matthew Pretorious and 300 men ia the direction of Waterburg, and captured 30 waggaaft, 1000 cattle, and 27 Boers. ■ . ; The "Times" states that General Plumer inarched from Pretoria and held; the drifts at XMjphanffs river for ten days, imprison, jng m>ny Boers in a densely wooded, waterless, semicircle, driving tneni into the bands of General Kitchener and the column from. Mf'Bennett Burleigh says tl»t'tii*BoersKa'm tie bnsh "with their stock andned before General Plumer, leaving 350 of their wives and cbfldren behind, and who are in a lower and dirtier state than the Kaffirs. The Boers were astounded and disheartened at their fastnesses being invaded; 143 were captured, besides I 50 who surrendered.

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. Received 9.2 aLm~~May"9ffi. ~ • LONDON, May 8. Lord.Kitchener also mentions the valuable services rendered by Lieutenant-Col-onel Kelly; Captains Tivey and Daffimore; Corporal Elliott; Lance-Corporal Mcßae; Troopers Sheehan, Clery, Green, O'Brien, Burke and Wallace, Victorians. Lieutenants Sale and Adams; Sergeant Hemsley, Tasmanians. Captain Green, New South Wales Army Medical Corps. Major Viaßs, Western Australia. Major Deacon, Queensland. .--.".' . ■•-. 'i. \ v'\

?«; tress Asseciatioi,

.■' WELLINGTON, May Of the Tongariro's men, 30 stay in Otagb and 82 in Canterbury.-The test are_es:--pected here by the Mono-wai on.. Saturday, 133helong to Wellington,. Wangamuv Napier and Gisborne, 19;.t0 , Auckland, 25 to. Nelson, and the West.Coast. [ .The Dei fence Department- aficommodate each, on Monday morning,by £**:** homes. The Nelson and West' Coastmen will, if possible, be sepit on immediately on Saturday by the HaupirL ••_ Captain Chaytor, -who arrived by tne Warrimoo, brought with him twelve of the Tongariro's men who missed the steamer, and may have in consequence to pay their own passages. , ~ ~,..„. The Premien has been advised tnat irnvate Conrad Saxby is -with his regiment. Privates Miller and PophaM are believed to be -well and with their regiments. Colonel Hunt and Captain H. NuttaH, two Imperial officers, arrived by the Warrimoo in connection -with the purchase of remounts for South Africa, and -will visit all the agricultural centres. - The Premier received advice iO-3ay of the dangerous fUness of three New Zealanders in South Mrica—C. Lindopy of the_ Sixth Contingent, of enteric fever at Pretoria; E, Barrer, of the Hfthi Contingent, of dyseatry at Kimberley;' and WiDiam Staefc, Fourth Contingent, of enteric fever at Johannesburg.

NELSON, May 9. Arrangements have been made for the reception of the returning soldiers on Sunday and Monday. INVEROABGILL, May 9. A large number of people who gathered to welcome the Southland troopers to-day were disappointed, as the men for some unknown reason did not come, although the volunteers were called out to meet them. RECEPTION OP THE TROOPS. A GREAT SUCCESS. Beautiful weather favoured the reception accorded to the New Zealand soldiers returned from South Africa yesterday, and the townspeople along the Toute of their march through Timaru exerted themselves to make a good display of colour to brighten the streets, whilst off the line of march also many flags' were flown, and the two vessels in port were made gay with bunting. Commencing at the detraining point the principal object of attention was a large figure of a khaki-clad trooper on horseback, erected on the top of the big mill, a spirited design that attracted much attention from the townsfolk. This was accompanied by a large motto "Welcome Home," and numerous flags. Next, and probably more interesting to the visitors, was the luncheon prepared for them in the drillshed. Here Mr Budd almost surpassed himself, as the order was given him only at noon on Wednesday. Five long tables were arranged, four parallel for 220 men, and one atcross the end of the four for the officers. A committee of ladies had decorated the walls of the shed with foliage, flags and drapery, and they also decorated the tables with pot plants and vases of flowers. Mr Budd had the tables

ready supplied with plentiful plates ©J meats, so that no time was lost in carving, and on the tables -were bread and cheese, and pastry, and dishes of vegetables and of apple pie' were at call. The officers' table had a little •xtra provision. Bottles ■ of aerated water were plentifully supplied on the tables, and these, the flowers, and glasses and bright paper serviettes, made the tables a brilliant ■show. The arrangements made seemed to be most satisfactory. Walking along the route to the station beforehand,, to note what had been done in the way of decoration, strings of small flags were seen at the Commercial Hotel and at Jackson's comer, and at Mr Knight's, with mottoes of " Welcome " and "Welcome Home." Looking down . the hill from Woollcombe street, the street - prospect was almost' all colour, so numerous were the strings of flags and flutters stretched across, and among the varied tints the word. "Welcome" was repeated with conspicuous frequency. Dickinson and Griffiths had a large streamer of "Bravo ye Braves," as well as a string of bunting. Ballantyne and Co; made a striking display of a dozen lines of flags, and) as many of flutters at a higher.level, and all the flags were recognised national or colonial flags, with no fanciful designs among them. The shop front. was also nicely decorated. Misses Holdgate, Messrs Bice, N.M. and A. Co., and Caldwell and Penrose, had strings across the street, and another stretched from the Corner to WerSeen from either north or south, I this section of the street presented a fine show of colour. Strings of large flags were thrown across at the Bank of New Zealand and three at Priest and Holdgate's and the Clothing Factory. In the Arcade stood the former firm'sj "Long Tom" ready for the procession. Conspicuous beyond these Mr Pratt ; had a couple of big streamers, one above the other, with large-sized hand-painted mottoes, "Well-done New Zealand's Sons," and "Hurrah,- Canterbury's Heroes." Behind these was a row of flags. Further on, Mr' T. Thomson had a good string across to King's stables, and Mr Angland etretched a line of flags from the Ship Hotel, and Mr Palleson had another. All along the street flags fluttered from verandahs, and some were almost covered. Mr B. Bowie used some foliage in decorating his, as well as gay colours. The arch at the foot of Strathallan street looked well, with its clear message to) the trops, "Welcome Home," and beyond this a string of flags reached from the C.F.C.A. building to tie railway. The one dismal spot in the whole route was that where the speeches. were to be delivered, nothing being done in the way, of .decoration there. As 2 o'clock approached the streets became alive with people'making their way to Mill street, and some time before that hour there was a large- crowd in that street and in King street adjoining. A small party of Mounted Infantry and two mounted constables, assisted by the •Fire: Brigade, kept a way open from the railway to the door of the djrillshed. The Garrison Band, the Mayor and Councillors, and Executive Committee awaited the arrival of the troops at the foot of the live-fenced lane. The crowd spread over the railway line, and along it, some loaded trucks making a good stand for a few score youngsters. A slight diversion was caused by the passage through the crowd, on the ! line ofl the engine which had brought the Chris'tchurch train, the driver having to slow up. As the time for the arrival of the train drew near, the Reception Committee passed along the line in readiness to receive the troops. The train arrived with fair punctuality, at 10 minutes past two, a train of ten cars and some trucks of baggage- drawn by two engines. As soon as it was pulled up, there was a rush along the train to the officers' carriage, near the rear, and a confusion of cheers and cries of recognition." was heard all along, as one after, another face, was . recognised. Of the two Majors, Major Crawshaw jwas the first found, and an attempt was made to shoulder him. Major Jowsey was further■dpwp./the train,, and. was welcomed on lamding7..by the. executive. The Bight Hon. "Mr Seddon, who was accompanied by Mrs Seddon, was the next to descend and be welcomed by the executive. The troops descended, were formed alongside the train, and within a. •very few minutes the band led the way , to the.drillshed. The first half on so oi j the men got in easily, but the rest had to force their way through a crowd that momentarily grew denser, and towards the last ; there was a good deal of hard work (required to get through. The live fence was insufficient, and at last proved, useless. • At last all got in, and took their placed in orderly fashion along the tables, and at the word of command sat, and again (at 2.25) rose whilst Archdeacon Harper said grace. Then they fell to as if they wanted and quite enjoyed the provision made for them. The comments of the onlookers were all in the way ( of compliment on the men's appearance. "A fine hardy looking lot." "They look as hard as nails, most of 'em," "They're a fine lot of fellows, ain't they?" A few looked pale, as if they had been on the sick-list, .but the rest looked very well indeed. ' ... The late Mayor (Mr Hole) occupied thechair at'vthe officers'.table,'with the Hon, 1 , the Premier on hisf'rights Jowsey' and Crawshaw 1 on his left. AJter justice had been done to Mr Budd's lunch; Mr Hole proposed the toasts of "The King" and the "Returned Tropers," coupled with the name of the chief officer, Major Jowsey;''and "The Government of New Zealand,"'.coupled with the name of the Premier,"' Major Jowsey and the Premier responded but there was more cheering than speech in each case. Major Jowsey thanked the people of Timaru for the kind reception given them. The Premier concluded by calling for three cheers for the Mayor, and the troopers gave them heartily. • After the lunch the party, a few minutes to 3 o'clock, fell in for the march to the railway station, and the pent-up enthusiasm of the crowd, who chafed a bit at being kept so long waiting, once more made itself very manifest. The procession formed no'as follows: — Advance Guard' of South Canterbury Mounted Rifles, under Captam Lindsay, CYC and Lieut. Turnbull, S.C.M.B. Battalion Band (Sergeant Cameron). Timaru Volunteers, in xommand of Colonel Moore-Tin&ru City Eiflea (Oantarn Gillies and Lieut. 'Amos); Port Guards (Captam Raymond and Lieut. Anderson) ',_ Timaru'Rifles (Captain BecMngham and Lieut. Wood);' and Main School Cadets ; The Veterans, Messrs Marshall, Pelvm, Campbell, and Durkht. Retnrned officers and troopers. Pipe Band (Major Mcßride). Fire Brigade (Captain Campbell)'* Carriage—tie Mayor, the Premier, 'Arch-

deacon Harper, Mr J. Hole, and Mr Lough I (Town Clerk). i "Carriage-i-Colonel Bailey,' Major Jowsey; Dr Cox, and Mr Kent. Drags filled with relatives of the returned officers and troopers, members of the Reception Committee, and chairmen of local bodies. The Protestant Band. Druids, members and officers. • Foresters, members and officers. Orange Lodges, members and officers. On arrival at the foot of Strathallan street, the raised floor of Mr D. Stuart's old store furnished a convenient platform for addresses. The troopers were drawn up on Station street*'in front of this, the reception committee, veterans, and relatives of troopers, Mrs Seddon, Mrs Hole, and a few other ladies standing on the platform. The crowd pressed closely on every side, and a fine mass of people filled[ the space between the platform and the railway in front and Turnbull's new

building on the left, the crowd stretching more thinly across the rails ta the troopers' train, and to right and left and Tear. The ex-Mayor, who ; conducted the proceedings, asked Archdeacon Harper to offer prayer, and at the close he asked all to join in singing the first verse of the "Old Hundredth."

Mr Hole then mounted the box, and on behalf of the people of Timaru and( South Canterbury, gave the returned troopers a hearty and sincere welcome home. The people who had stayed at home had watched their "career, and had been pleased and proud of them. They had done what was expected of • them when they were sent away, and had borne themselves like men in upholding the honour of New Zealand. Timaru had sent away a good share of men and a good share of officers too, who)'had done exceedingly well. He did not wish to select any names for

special mention, but he must congratulate Major Crawshaw —(great applause and cheering)—for having been somewhat of a target for the Boers, yet had come back whole and sound. But all had done

their duty, and Timaru was very pleased to welcome them back.- (Cheers.) He was pleased to be able to welcome the Premier also: on a visit to Timaru, especially in connection with the return of the troops, for the Premier had taken almost a fatherly interest in all the young men who had been sent to South Africa. (Applause.) But while recognising the honour the young men of South Canterbury had done their district, the people did not forget, but felt deeply and sincerely for the parents' of those who had fallen for their -country, their memories would.be kept green and honoured. Again he heartily welcomed home the officers and troopere of South Canterbury. Colonel.Bailey, on behalf of the Volunteers of South Canterbury, gave the officers and troopers a hearty welcome, those from north and south -included.' They had done their duty like soldiers, and he heartily welcomed them back. (Cheers.) The Hon. the Premier spoke next. He had not finished his first sentence when the engine of the> train gave a long whistle near by (but out of sight) and the Premier had to wait until it ceased, and begin again. He could not, he said, in words express his gratitude to the people of Timaru for the grand and glorious welcome they had given their sons, and their

sons' comrades, who had fought so gallantly for the grand old flag in South ■Africa.' It was a joyous day indeed for 1 Timaru, and considering the short notice they had had, the display he had seen in the streets would compare with any display in any part of the British dominions. He was only sorry that their Royal Highnesses were not coming to Thnaru. The decorations he had seen that day were enough to tempt them to come 'if they only knew of them. (Laughter and applause.) It was a joyous day for Timaru. One. of the direct liners, the Tongariro, had

brought the contingent from South Africa, and he had brought them by/ special train to receive the caresses of those near and dear to them. And they deserved all that could be given them. They, had exceeded the highest anticipations.. They had opened the eyes of the civilised world to -the fact that within the Empire, in the colonies, there existed a source of strength they had not calculated upon. When they hesitated and talked-about making terms,

we said no; it ia a question of constitution, of honour, of the flag, and we will conquer or die. . And we had; conquered. (Applause.) We must not forget in our hour of victory that it had cost us? dear. There would shortly, be presented to the representatives of the Royal House in this colony, addresses inscribed upon vellum, beautifully written and illuminated, breathing faithful loyalty and devotion to the Throne. But what greater proof of loyalty could be given than .for man and woman, father and mother, to give their sons to shed their blood for the mainten-

ance of ; their King and Empire? (Applause.) And that had been the proof of loyalty given by the people of New Zealand. He was proud of it; proud of the fathers and mothers who had sent their sons, and he rejoiced with them who .received their sons back to-day. (Applause,) ~>iLet them not forget that there were fathera and mothers whose sons,could never,.re :r turn, for they had given, their- life for. their country. .Let them not forget those who were suffering bereavement,; but. let them know that they felt for Man, . and as far as they could comfort them, and wish their Divine Master to give them >ll the comfort that lies in His power.. He would be wanting in his duty if he dm not tender to those who were bereaved in this district the heartfelt sympathy pi ' the colony. And he would like, to see in. each centre some simple memorial stone set up—nothing elaborate or expensivedesignating by name those who had fallen —(hear, hear and applause)— to show to posterity that those of to-day respected and desired to keep in memory then- gallant sons who had fallen. -.(Applause.) Timarn had sent officers and men equally with any other place, and was rejoicing i that day over their return. It should not rejoice as a single place over its own sons only; hut should rejoice for. all New Zealand. ; All New Zealanders had done their duty, and had shdwn'what they -would do if called'upon. If the Empire ever was in heed of it they would answer to the last irian.. They had made great sacrifices, but they had reaped great profit from them. They had preserved the peace in the face of envious nations, who would have attacked the Empire if the colonies had been a source of weakness instead of having proved a- source of strength, people of the old bull-dog breed.. , (Cheers J They had' wiped out Majuba Hill, had wiped out! Kruger, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, and Timarti.had done its share. Three cheers for Major Jowsey, the officers and men of the. returned contingents. (The cheers were lustily;given., Major Jowsey returned thanks for th< hearty" reception he and his menhad. beer given: : He need not say that he was verj glad to be back in Timaru again. There were loud cries for 'Crawshaw, and' Major Crawshaw mounted the. box • and on behalf of the Second Gontingen; thanked the peoplei-ttf Timaru for the cor dial reception given- them, and particularh for the good feed the men said they ha< had. (Cheers.) At the conclusion of the speeches th men were speedily entrained, and amids desultory and continuous .cheering, ani snatched hand-shakes from the tram, th two engines started with' their valuabl load for Christchurch at 10 minutes * 4 o'clock.

A striking and most pleasing feature of the reception was the plain evidence of the robust health of the majority of the officers and men. There . were two or three exceptions, due to the after effect®, of enteric fever, and in one case a trooper had not fully recovered from! a wound. Of the Timaru officers Major Jowsey looked exceedingly well; and Major Crawshawwas better looking in health generally than his friends expected to find him, while Captain Bourn looked very well. The South Canterbury troopers all looked well, the pick of them, perhaps, being Sergeants O'Callaghan, Grahame, and Jowsey. Three finer-looking men it would be hard to find in any army, soldierly-looking in every respect. We heard one lady say « j s n ow the handsomest I ever saw," (the sergeants named can draw lots for the missing word). It was curious to note the mixture, of uniforms and other trappings worn by the men. All shades of khaki were worn, from greyto brown. Boots, too, were a motly collection, tan shoes, bluchers, and watertjghto were represented, and in leg gear,,

putties, black leggings and brown. In hats there was the fore and after, broad and narrow Mts, and slouch hats ofemany kinds, some quite new, whilst others appeared to have borne .the heat and the wet of many days on veldt and kopje. Most 6i the decorations were removed last evening, but one of them) was shown at its best after dark. This was the effigy of a Rough-rider on the top of the Big Mill, already mentioned. This had been designed and executed to suit the original programme that the troops should detrain at the station and march to the drill shed, when it would have shown up in front of them. As the men detrained at the mill and marched the opposite way, the probability is that none of them saw it at all. Last evening after dark a powerful electric light was projected upon the figure, and it showed up extremely well, being distinctly visible from suitable points to a considerable distance. The following are the names of South Canterbury officers and men who returned by the Tongariro,t as given in an official list published in Dunedin papers. ("T" stands for Timaru, "W" for Waimate, "G" for Geraldine): — Second Contingent, sailed per Waiwera, 20th January, 1900 —Captain George Crawshaw, T.; Corporal W. Butcher, W. ; , Privates W. Clouston, G.; J. J. Con- i nolly, Temuka; J. D. King, T.; A. Thoreau, T.; C. E. West, T. Third Contingent, sailed per Knight Templar, 17th Feb., 1900—Major T. Jowsey, T.; Captain H. L. Bourn, T.; Sergeant H. Jowsey, T.; Bugler D. Strachan, T.; Farrier-Sergeant C. G. Ward, W.; , Privates H. Bennett, Four Peaks; J. W. Canavan, Orari; J. E. G. Couper, W.; H. C. Graham, T.; J. Henderson, Orari; T. W. Kelcher, W.; R. McFarlane, T.; H. Munro, W.; T. R. Moss, Winchester; E. H. Stone, T.; T. R. Tindall, G.; C. F. Vernal, Orari.

THE TROOPS ARRIVAL AT CHRISTCHURCH. Per Press Association. CHBISTCHURCH, May 9. The returned troops arrived here by special train shortly before 8 o'clock this evening. An enormous crowd had assembled at the railway station, and after the men had disembarked they were drawn up in front of the platform that had 'been provided outside. The utmost enthusiasm was shown, and the volunteers had great difficulty in keeping the space open. The Mayor of Christchureh, Mr Arthur Rhodes, welcomed the men on'behalf of the citizens of Christchurch and people of Canterbury, referring to the pluck and endurance they had shown in South Africa., The Premier, who had a great reception, welcomed the men home, and referred to the part Canterbury had played in sending off contingents, making special reference to the Third Contingent which was peculianly representative of Canterbury. All the Contingents in South Africa had done exceedingly well, having been greatly praised by the greatest General of the age, "Our Bobs." The Premier said that he would make an announcement that had never been made before. A little time ago the Imperial Government had asked the New Zealand Government if they were prepared to plant Boer prisoners on Stewart Island, but the people of New: Zealand did not .want Boers in this colony: 'What was the good: of sending our men to fight.the Boers and. j uphold the flag of the Empire if these people ' were to be brought amongst us. The Government had replied, that local difficulties prevented their acquiescing in this modest request. He announced that they would have to say good-bye to Major Jowsey that night, as to-morrow he would be Colonel Jowsey. He had been told that there was a little feeling among the troopers because they had been compelled to give up their bandoliers (A cry: "What\ about our rifles.") He would see that the rifles which had been such good friends to the men would be returned to them. (Cheers.). ~

Major Jowsey briefly returned thanks for the welcome extended to his men.

Cheers were given by the crowd for the Dunediii: people for the manner in which they had entertained the Canterbury men, and a special cheer for the North Islanders among the returned section. • The men then commenced their march through • the streets led. by the Garrison Band and members' of the Pire Brigade with torches,-and escorted by a large body of local volunteers. Fireworks and coloured fires were displayed alll along the rontei which was thronged who gave the returned soldiers almost enthusiastic', welcome.; The 'men :ton arrival, in tha Square marched into the Cathedral where a short thanksgiving service was held. ....

To-morrow the men will he entertained at luncheon;' and a conversazione in the evening., ..-.':

OAMARU, May 9.

The returned tropos passed shortly'after noon. There was no ceremony. Owing to the officiousness of someone on the railways, the public, of whom there were'' a large number, were excluded, from, th.e platform at the start. " When the gates- were opened, under the direction of the Premier, the platform was rushed, and confusion jprevailed....-,. v .The Mayor ,and-.loQal military authorities found it impossible-So do anything, to the general disgust felt by all. ■' :.;,....: -... -,-. .-„■,* •.*.;;■',.-