RETURN OF THE WAIWERA

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue II, 13 January 1900, Page 78

RETURN OF THE WAIWERA

THE FIRST CONTINGENT. AT THE FRONT. REVIEWED BY GENERAL FRENCH. SCOUTING TOWARDS ARUNDAL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRSTCHI’RCH, January 8. The steamer Waiwera which conveyed the first New Zealand contingent to South Africa, arrived at Lyttelton this morning. The Press Association special correspondent, writing from Naauwpoort Camp on November 30, describes the journey from Maitland Camp. Ou the march from the latter camp to the station the horses got very much alarmed at the electric trams. During one of these alarms Trooper McCabes horse got out of hand, and gave the trooper a nasty fall. He was shaken and hurt slightly, but was able to come on. No. 1 Company went in the first, train, in which also went Major Robin, the veterinary, and Lieut. Neale.

As soon as the horses were entrained the Company marched away from the horse-loading platform through a portion of the town to the troop-loading platform, being headed by the band and the Cape Highland volunteers. The short, distance traversed was thronged with people, who cheered most enthusiastically. Half-an-hour later No. 2 Company went through, and the same performance followed No. 2 train under command of Capt. Maddocks. Just before leaving the destination of the contingent was again changed to De Aar. and we were told we were being hurried on to JOIN LORD METHUEN'S FORCE for the relief of Kimberley, which had already commenced operations, and had just fought a battle at Belmont.

All heavy baggage was left at the depot in Capetown, and a man had to be detailed to remain behind to look after it and send on everything required from it. Trooper Copper was selected for the duty, as his health had been bad for some time past. The train journey was hot, dusty, and wearisome. The horses were watered and fed at certain appointed stations, where the men were also able to snatch a hurried meal, nearly all the time being taken up watering the horses, which was a difficult and nasty job. One or more of the men had to get right inside each truck among eight horses packed in them, mostly frightened, and some kicking; however, our l>oys were quite equal to the job, and they worked splendidly.

AN ACCIDENT. One man in No. 1 train was unfortunately hurt. He was slightly crushed and strained his side. He was attended to by the army doctor. who was there, and was picked up by No. 2 train at one of the crossings station. A rumour floated round the train that a load of Boer prisoners was coming by, but it turned out to be ti hospital train, carrying about ninety wounded men. It stooped but a few seconds opposite us, and that was enough. We passed two more later on, but these were not nearly so painful ti see as the first. In fact, in the last one. most of the men looked quite happy and cheered us; then didn’t we just cheer them, not before, for fear of disturbing Them. At our cheer as the train passed a white, wan hand was seen feebly tapping the window, nothing else Iteing visible through that window except a mass of bandages. The incident was full of pathos. After the second night in the train we arrived at De Aar about breakfast time. Here again came fresh orders. We were apparently too late for the relief of K.tnberley. and had to move on now in one train in all haste to Naauwpoort. There was barely time to water and feed the horses before we were bustl'd off towards our new destination. This portion of the journey was more exciting, as there was a chance of being attacked or fired on en route, and we had to be prepared; but nothing happened. The train went very carefully over one bridge, which had liecn tampered with by theßoers. There is not much comfort to be had at. Nanwwpoort. Our lines nrr on the side or a slight bill sloping down to the

railway, a bare patch of sandy ground with rock a few inches below the surface. The sand is of the most malignant type, very fine red in colour, an.l mingled with sharp stones. It smells unph uaautly, ami on the slightest gust of wind it flies about, jienetrating into everything, and at the same time choking up your nose and throat. The heat is intense when there is no wind, and when it blows there is a sand storm. Naauwpoort lies in a hollow, with flat topped hills all round, and at first sight appears to be in a most disadvantageous position for defence, bnt the hills overlooking it, although appearing to a new comer to be a mile or so distant, are really four or five miles away. The distances i:> this clear atmosphere are most deceptive, almost incredibly so. On December 3 GENERAL FRENCH INSPECTED US

at 8.30 a.m., and put us through the various movements. The wind was blowing and the dust blinding, consequently we all thought we drilled disgracefully, but when the General formed us up and. addressed us he said he was very much pleased with what he had is not much eomfort to. be had at seen, and had no doubt that in a short time we would be the finest body of mounted volunteers in the world, though the Natal lighthorse would take a lot of beating. He had found the later absolutely reliable in action, and had no doubt in a short time we should be the same. He particularly enjoined us ane and all to practise judging distances, which in this country are so absolutely misleading, and after a few more hints and words of advice we returned to camp and finished most unpleasantly a hot and dusty day. Late in the evening we received orders to move out at 4 a.m. the following day and SCOUT TOWARDS ARUNDEL, which is half way to Colesberg. Shortly after 4 a.m. we were marching out of camp alongside of the railway line. eW advanced for about 10 miles throwing scouts three or four miles out on each flank. We then halted withdrawing scouts and sending on a line of observation posts to a range of hills a few miles ahead. The main body then foraged up and rested until 3 p.m. General French was with us and was very pleased at the way we worked. He wishes we were armed with swords or lances as well as with carbines. He is evidently not a believer in mounted infantry for this war, and is going to uSe us more as cavalry. During the day he made us fix bayonets and charge, and see how it would work. The improvised lance was not a great success, being too short. However it apparently satisfied him as be was full of praises, and we were styled ‘lndependent Cavalry’ iq that evening's orders. We saw np Boers as' expected, though there were several false alarms. We got back to camp just before dark, and at once received orders to strike camp and again move out towards Arundel at 6 a.m. next day. THE HEALTH OF THE MEN; Lieut. Canavan’s mare bolted with him one day at drill and coming down in a hole the lieutenant hurt- his side, sprained his wrist, and has been laid up ever since. Lieut. Chaytor has a sore throat and bad chest which has kept him a prisoner several Trooper Kells has been sent back to the hospital at De Aar, and Trooper Harold Smith also, the latter with a poisoned arm. Trooper McCabe remained there as he was still suffering from the fall he had at Capetown. Trooper Patterson is in hospital here with sciatica. Others in hospital are only suffering from minor complaints and will all be out again in a day or two. At least three of them have been kicked by horses. The horses are fairly well, but don’t seem inclined to feed as well as one would like. I think the heat is affecting them a little. Everyone tells us they are such a useful looking lot, and I know they will prove to be so. TELEGRAM TO THE GOVERNMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. January 8. The Agent-General wires under date London, January 7, that General French is occupying a position overlooking Colesberg. He repulsed a Boer attack, hut they are being reinforced. A sortie from Mnfeking on December 26th was repulsed, our loss l»eing about 50. Tha engagement at Molteno was merely a skirmish.