Unique Newspaper Is Local Man's Prized Reminder Of Boer War

Chronicle (Levin), 8 October 1949, Page 4

Unique Newspaper Is Local Man's Prized Reminder Of Boer War

Prized possession of South African War veteran Mr. A. McKeown, of Mako Mako Road, Levin," is a framed copy of the Boer newspaper, "De Zoutpansberg Wachter," published in Pietersburg, Transva'al, on April 11, 1901. The feature of this story, however, is that althpugh;.the . Dutch name is retained, the publishers "missed the press" on that date, being last seen on April 8 heading for the veldt as the town was entered by His Britannic Majesty's troops under the command of General Plumer.

Journalists and printers in the ranks of the invading forces took over the plant and turned out the one and only English edition ever to come off that press. They blew up the building immediately afterwards to ensure that it would never again be used for the propaganda of the enemy. There are few copies of this newspaper in existence today, but Mr. J. Madill, an Auckland veteran, recently donated his copy to the Auckland Museum. Obtaining a copy was not an easy matter for Mr. McKeown. A member of the New Zealand detachment of Brigadier Plumer's •column, it was by chance that he heard tell of the- English troops'' enterprise and he hastened immediately to their lines to' see if

a copy could be acquired. It was purely by accident that one was available, and that was in the none too dependable hands of the unit's mascot — a monkey who was just starting out to show his contempt of the journal's Dutch name in no uncertain manner. Fortunately it was salvaged before much harm was done and the newspaper Was dulv handed over free of charge by the soldiers to their New Zealand compatriot. It is now in Mr. McKeown's home, and just in case of accidents he has had a typewritten copy made of its contents, as well as having' the original framedEditorial Regret. In an editorial regret is expressed that not all the contributions handed in from officers, n.c.o.'s and men could be used and as the paper was in the somewhat peeuliar circumstance of not being in the position of having a second edition, excess contributions would have to be re turned. Continuing, the editorial states: "Whatever semblance the Boers may have endeavoured to keep up of a seat of Government will, it is hoped, now be dispelled, and printing machinery on a some•what large scale having f allen .into our hands, it is hoped that the pernicious exaggerations and falsehoods, which have gone to bolster up a crumbling organisation. and embitter the relations of the parties, wiil now cease. "There "seems every reason to hope that the untenable situation taken up by the more practical of our opponents will become more apparent hy the occupation of Pietersburg, and that this ste'p may hasten a friendly settlement' and expedite the termination of the present hostilities and the ruin concurrent with their continuance — God Save The King." There follows a history of events leading up to the occupation of this strategic town, contributions froio the troops In poetry and prose

and varlous items of cable* news which were welcomed by troops far from home and at times cut off for long periods from news. Here is one: "The suggestion is being made to the King that the two eldest sons of the Duke of York be made Prince of Canada and Prince of Australia." Various reports of highlights in the advance were also featured. In one "the story is tol'd of the surprise registered by the adyancing troops that the Boers had left the rails and bridges intact. News arrived that dynamite had been placed under the rails. Shortly afterwards a- train party captured a patrol of eleven Boers suspiciously clpse to the railroad. Qn being questioned they had 'denied all knowledge of dynamite, - so just to test their sincerity they were put on the heavy trucks which usually preceded the engine so that they might have the' full benefit of any explosions which might occur. The train had not proceeded far when there was a terrific roar and the trucks were blown off the line. The Boers were not killed, but having fallen once into their own trap they were not happy to face a repeat performance when the line was repaired, so quickly discovered further charges, and thus the train eventually arrived at the terminuSj the paper relates.