THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 29 July 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[by ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.] (by ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) London’, July 27. General Benson on the 9th forestalled Commandant Viljeon at Witpoort Bridge, commanding Dillstroora. The Boers were unaware that the bridge was held and encountered a brisk lire and fell back in confusion. One hundred of the Boers’ reserve who attempted to prevent pursuit were routed and Yiljoen and the latter abandoned 16 wagons. Benson following unbrokcnly for 2a miles compelling the Boers to fight an action at Olifant’s Eiver, killing six and wounding five of the enemy.

The British casualties are few. The Scottish Horse distinguished ‘themselves in the fighting. The following New Zealanders have accepted commissions: — Lieut. S. W. H. Crawford, in the Norfolk Eegiment. A. B. Eose, in the Manchester Eegiment.

E. M, D. Williams in the York and Lancaster Eegiment.

Of the 7th New Zealanders Lieut. Carter was slightly wounded, and Privates G. W. Callaway and Andrew Peterson were severely wounded at Verseninging.

A Victorian, Sergeant Buckingham, was killed at Ehenoster Kop.

A superior force, of which probably Amsterdam and Pretretiet are Com manders, on Wednesday forced a detachment of Col Steinacker’s Horse to evacuate Bremersdorp, in Swaziland.

The British fought their way to Lembobo, 16 miles, losing ten killed and wounded, and a few missing.

The Standard’s Pretoria correspondent states that Colonels Benson, Beatson, Spen, Parks, and four columns in the vicinity of Dullstroom, awaited Ben Viljoen’s 600 from Ehenosterkop. going to Nelspruit.

Viljoen was unaware that his advance was blocked, and a battle was fought on the 7th, the enemy suffering heavy loss. Badon-Powell arrived at Southampton and was accorded an ovation, He said that his work in South Africa was only two-thirds finished and he would return the moment he recuperated.