THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7232, 19 October 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. ARREARS OF PAY. DESERTIONS IN ENGLAND. • United Press Association— By Elecirio Telegraph— Copyright. (Received Oct. 19, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18. Fifty out of 200 Imperial Yeomanry who ■had rs-cnlistrd fr.r South Africa deserted at Shorncliffe, owing; to discontent over arrears in their pay. Confusion has been ■caused through the pay-sheets being in South Africa. News has been received at the lo'-al Defence Office that Captain Jackson, formerly in command of the Otago f-quadron of the Fifta New Zealand Contingent, submitted a proposal to the Dtefencc Department to raise- a tn.-op of one hundred men as tighting scouts for sen-ice in South Africa. Ths offer was refused by the Department, and Captain Jacki-on is "now in communication with Lord Kitchener on the subject. Before the embarkation for home, Captain Jackson tried to raise a- corps for the game purpose out of the Fifth* New Zealand regiment, then on active service. A number of men who wished to remain in till* country responded to the call, but for some reason, generally credited to the Government's? wish that all New Zealand troops should return, the proposal fell through. Captain Jackson was a very popular officer in the regiment, and was as remarkable for his dash and bravery as for his solicitude for ihe comfort and well-being of •his men. He is just the type of man who could take charge of mounted scouts and make them thoroughly useful in the operations of an advancing oph»»», it»A probably many of the men formerly under his : command will embrace- the opportunity of joining him.