THE TRANSVAAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11700, 8 March 1902, Page 3

THE TRANSVAAL.

THE MIDNIGHT FIGHT AT BOTHASBERG. ADDITIONAL "PARTICULARS. THE NEW ZEALANDERS' SPLENDID DEFENCE. United Press Association—Per Electrie Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9-8 a.m., March 7th. LONDON, March 6. At midnight on February 23rd, the Boers rushed with a great mass of stock the position held by the New Zealanders, overwhelming the pickets. The New Zealanders made a splendid defence, but were caught on the flank,- and unable to use their full strength. They were compelled to shift- to avoid the furious fire. Other pickets of the New Zealanders warned Captain Cox's New South Wales troops, who altered their formation. The Boers in the van pushed north with their wounded. The fight lasted an hour and a half. The colonials used 17 boxes of ammunition. Seventy dead horses were found in front of Captain Cox's position. De Wet escaped in the confusion when the oxen rushed the New Zealanders' line at Bothasberg. Lord Kitchener's line during the drive extended 120 miles over terribly hilly and broken country. The transport of the guns was tremendously difficult, especially on the Natal border. Lieutenant-General Sir C. E. Knox has succeeded General Tucker in command of the Bloemfontein district. Field Cornet Jan Better and 12 others have been captured in Orange Colony. Tf-e "Standard" state* that Stevn and De Wet are confining Botha to the Utrecht district.

Rirce the beginning of the war the British lo«s°s have been 489 officers and 4956 men wounded. 504 officers and 15.030 men died from disease. Deaths from all causes totalled nearlv 21,000. A War Office correction states that Trooper Lytton Ditely, a New Zealander, is dangerously wounded, not killed. WASHINGTON, March 6. President Roosevelt received Wessels and Wolmarans. the Boer delegates, as private citizens. He declared that America could not, and would not, interfere in the war.

■ MELBOURNE, March 7. Mr Seddon, on behalf of the people, cabled to Lord Hopetoun warmly thanking him for his messages of sympathv. and coiKTatr l afo'"v of the heroism of the New Zealand troops-.

THE SWEEP? TOWARDS NATAL. ABOVE THE CLOUDS FOR THREE .-..'■ DAYS. Received 1.5 a.m.. March Bth'. LONDON, March 7. During the late sweep towards Natal the British guns had to be lowered over precipices. One column in crossing the mountains was above the clonds and without food for three days. • The capture of Commandant Trutner and 500 men is regarded as most important, as he is a great leader. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. March 7. Sergeant Newdick, of the Thames, who went to South Africa in a former Contingent, has received a commission in the South Island battalion, and leaves for Dunedm in a few days. He has received a suitable present from his comrades. To-day. Mrs Caultoii, wife of Lieutenant S. C. Caulton. who was seriously wounded in. the Seventh Contingent's recent fight, received- the following cable message'from he- husband through the Premier:—"Hospital. Harrismith. Doing splendidly consinerina the nature of the wounds. I thick nothing of wounds, considering the splendid result-s from the engagement." WELLINGTON, March 7. The Government is advised that Servant W. Sheatber (Auckland), of the Sixth Contingent, is dangerously ill of enteric at Wakkerstroom. HOKITTKA, March 7. A cable message from the Officer Commanding at Capetown reports that Trooper Lot Cooper, of this town, has been accidentallv wounded in South Africa. Cooper is with the Seventh Contingent. CHRISTCHURCH, March 7. It is said that the statements which were current as to commissions not being granted in the Ninth Contingent were fallacious. ' The roll of officers hud been complete for some days. Owing to promotions two vacarcies had been made in the rank and file and several troopers, had \ fa!'en r>nt for various reasons, but their ' places have now been filled. It is now understood that Colonel Porter will be in cfcaree of the Ninth Contingent in South Africa, with the rank of Brigadi*, and that the Seventh and Ninth Contingents will be kept as otie column. Major Abbott, late of the Fifth Contingent, will take command of the North Island battalion of the Ninth Contingent, and Major Bauchop, late, of the Fourth Contingent and now with - the Seveith Contingent, will comnand the South Island battalion. Conf rmation of these arrangements is now in I the hands of Lord Kitchener.

DUNEDIN, March 7. Chaplain Dutton. to the southern section of the Vin*h Contingent, was entertained at a social bv his late congregation at Caversham, s"id presented with a p^ rs » r.f sovereigns, field-glasses, cutlery, i> vrhiskv flask, etc.

Tv. or.- Thursday's issue there appeared .-•mong the war news a telegram from Wellington giving a lift of members of the Sixth Continent who have been apnointed ;-o the Intelligence Department at 12s per dav and free rations, and amontr the names was that of " 3638 *Mill." The number is of J. .T. Melton, son of Mr J. Helton, of the Timaru Post Office, and on "Pmrsdav ~Mr Melton received the following telearam from the Premier:—" Have rereived a cable from Major Pilcher, Capetown, statins that ' No. 3638 Milton' has been appointed to the Intelligence Department nt 12s per day with free Tations, and nskim- tint he may be allowed to regain in South Africa. On referring to • '■» nominal roll of contingents, I find' that No. 3638 is J. J. Melton. A mistake : n the name has evidently been made. There ran be no doubt that it is vnur son that Major Pilcher refers to. With vo'T approval T propose to let your son Tom-iiri. Kindlv reply at once." Mr MpUnn replied approving of the proposal. When last heard from the Sixth Contingent ■"-ns at Standerton, on the Natal-Transvaal line.