BOFR EXPERIENCES IN CEYLON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7014, 1 February 1901, Page 4

BOFR EXPERIENCES IN CEYLON.

> WHAT A LIBERATED PRISONER HAS TO SAY.. x • Amongst the recent arrivals in Durban (says the " Natal Mercury ") is Mr Olivier, son of General Olivier, who was captured at Winburg. Mr Olivier has been released on parole, and has the permission of the Field-Marshal to return home. In conversation, Mr Olivier expressed himself highly satisfied with the British treatment, and states that it would have been impossible to have had better. On leaving Cape Town, General Olivier and all his sons were granted first-class saloon, passages on the City of Vienna. When they arrived at Ceylon th«y were met by the Governor, Sir W. Ridgeway, and conveyed to the camp of the prisoners of war, situated four hundred yards from the railway line. Colonels Jesser Coope and Vintcent are in charge, and both officers are favourites with the prisoners. The Boers enjoy themselves" daily by playing cricket, football, and lawn tennis, while a billiard-saloon is : a part of the camp. Mr Olivier says that no one can grumble a.bout the treatment nor the food. The men are jolly amd playful, spending the day in reading or playing. The prisoners manufacture their own beer, which has a large sale, while some have turned their attention to gardening. The soil, he. declares, is the finest which he has seen, and, altogether, he considers the country one of the finest in the world. Prisoners of war hold w weekly concert every Saturday night, invariably attended by all the officers of the garrison . Sports are often held, and dinner courtesies between the once rival officers are quite common. Mr Olivier declares most emphatically that no one. who has any friends in Ceylon need fee? the slightest apprehension, for better treatment and better food it is impossible to have. The only other person who .returned Trith Mr Olivier was Lieutenant Du'Toit, of the Pretoria. Police, who stayed at home during the war, and who was alleged -to. h.&ve fejsen, impjiea&d in; th,t Cfw^uajplo^hencethi^ej^ortaiaonj, .-,