THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7328, 14 February 1902, Page 3

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE GREAT DRIVE, A FIERCE BATTLE. BRITISH CAPTURES. ; BOER SURRENDERERS. United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. (Received Feb. 14, 9.33 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 13. A correspondent of the " Daily Telegraph ".states that a five hours' 'battle was fought on Friday night along the blockhouse line from Heilbron onward. The Boers made frantic charges, seeking an butlet from the ring of fire and steel. Commandants Vannickir and Vandermerwe and many rebels were captured. The correspondent estimates the Boer casualties during the recent drive at one hundred, and the total "bag" during the two days at six hundred, including many colonial rebels. ' Twenty-three Boers have surrendered at Middelburg. . A WAR MEMORIAL. [Per Press Association.] . • HOKITIKA, Feb. 14. . The memorial to the honour of Westland ' men who have served .in the South African war will stand on the site originally selected for the monument to the memory of thb : pioneer surveyors, Messrs Dobson, Whitecombe, Howitt and Townsend, who explored ihe district. The latter monument was subsequently removed to the local cemetery, , where it now occupies a prominent position. ■ The present memorial will cost about £400, and will be a striking- granite^ structure. i PRIVATE TASKER. Amongst the passengers from Sydney by the Wadkare, which arrived at Wellington yesterday, was Private. Tasker, of the Sixth Contingent, who was recently released ' ircm Gtosport Prison after undergoing confinement on the charge of ; having slept at las post in South Africa. Tasker, who is in excellent health, came out to Sydney by the Austral. He is still ; a member of the Contingent.