TROOPER SMITH AT THE FRONT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 23 March 1901, Page 3

TROOPER SMITH AT THE FRONT.

Trooper Smith of Brunncrton writing to his parents under date and place of Klerksdorp, December 21st, says:—Wc have a little sniping here nearly every day, but seldom anyone is hurt. The Fifth Contingent have seen more fighting rlun any of the other ones :wc were in the light when General Botha tried to wreck a train, and had a narrow escape then, but got off with two men killed. I don’t think we will be back before April Writing again under date of January 12th the samo writer says:—Wc are still at Klorksdrop. Wc have lost our Colonel (Colonel Newell); he was a very good man He always studied his men and always saw that we got our rights. I canm t speak to highly of him as he was a very good soldier. He used to come at night time and see if we had any complaints to make and if so ho w’ould have them adjusted at once.

Wo were out on patrol one day when wc were chased by a party of Boers. My horse ran. very slow, in fact I could have run as fast as it. We have a name for every time wo got chased : we call this the Klorksdrop Cup. It is very rough on horses out hero, and they soon become broken down. Our Lieutenant had liis horse shot but it managed to carry him into camp. The present which you (old me (hat the people of Brunner were giving me has not yet arrived, hut I feel very thankful to them for (lie kindness they have shown (o me, and whether T receive it or not I shall always know that I have their good wishes along with me.