RUMOURS CONTRADICTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6901, 15 September 1900, Page 5

RUMOURS CONTRADICTED.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. Trooper Bennett and Trooper De Loree, who arrived here by the Monowai on Thursday, express unbounded astonishment at the statements published in New Zealand reflecting on the officers leading the contingents. They say thab the commanding officer did) all in his power to further the interests of the men, that Colonel Robin, would Ibe followed anywhere, and was one of the most popular officers at the front. A letter received* in'Xyttelton from Captain Walker, of the s.s. Ormazan, which took horses from Lyttelton to South Africa), states that the steamer experienced terrible weather botih from New Zealand to Albany, and from the latter port; to South Africa. The loss of horses was consequently considerable ; to the date of the letter, July 29, 27 had! dijed). Captain Walker writes in very high, terms of the men wiho went as grooms in charge of the horses. He states that they behaved well, worked 1 well, and in every way proved themselves worthy of the name of New Zealanders. Lieu tenant-General Baden-Powell is to be presented by his admirers in the Wellington ■district with an 18-carat gold cigarcase, in further recognition of his gallant defence of Mafeking (says the' "New Zealand Times"). The cover of the ease is hand-chased, a beautifully- executed relief illustrating the desire. of the gallant soldier to the effect that wherever he was placed he hoped it would be in a hot corner. In this illustration he is represented) as working in the trenches at Mafeking, directing the defence of the hard-pressed garrison. Over the scene are the words, " 'Twas nobly fought." The bottom of the case bears the following finely - engraved inscription : — "To LieutenantGeneral R. S. S. Baden-Powell, in commemoration of Mafeking, from admirers in Wellington district, New Zealand." The makers* of the case, Messrs Littlejohn and C 0.., are to be congratulated on the execution of so fine an exhibit of the goldV smith's art. The case is valued at seventy guineas.