THE SNIPER’S WORK AND FATE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 August 1901, Page 4

THE SNIPER’S WORK AND FATE.

A correspondent; writing on April 3rd, states Entered Pietersburg at half-past nine a.m. The Australians formed the advance section, engaging the enemy in a desultory manner the whole way. On the low slopes at the back of the town it was thought that a more obstinate resistance was to be offered. The New Zealanders were galloping up to the centre of the firing line. Up to this there had only been one casualty this morning, one Bushman having been shot on entering the town. Now one of these dastardly outrages which have done much to damage the reputation of the Boer occurred. The local schoolmaster, evidently a man of fanatical disposition, having carefully prepared a large molehill to conceal himself, permitted the Imperial Bush Contingent to come within 30 yards of him, and then commenced firing on them. Owing to the noise caused by the desultory firing all round, the party were unable to locate whence the effective firing came from. Within a few seconds Lieutenants Walters and Sayle and one trooper fell, the first shot through the heart, the other two mortally wounded, since dead. Seven horses were also shot by the Boer before he was discovered, when ho immediately threw up his hat and offered to surrender. The Bushmen, however, rushed in and, infuriated by his conduct, shot and bayoneted him.