THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 November 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

(PBB PBBBS ASSOCIATION —COPYBIGHT),

Lokdok, November 19. Sixty-four British were captured and released at Brakenspruit. Three parties of the enemy attacked Walden's scouts at Klip River and a sharp rearguard action followed. One British was killed and 7 wounded, four captured and three Boers killed and 17 wounded. /

A party of General Plumer's Queenslanders a"t Slingspies captured a party of Boers and two armed natives. The Crown Reef Mine and the Durban Roodeport mine are starting with 50 stampers each. The Times' Vienna correspondent states that an unprejudiced foreigner returned from South Africa attributes the duration of the war to insufficient mounted troops. Twenty per cent are engaged in army attendance duties. It was estimated that the strength in September of the enemy was 12,000, equal to the number in reserve in mounain fastnesses. The Boer intention was not to move large bodies. He.adds that the Boers ought to permanently be excluded from gold mine territory, as they would be powerless if deprived of gold. The 21st Lancers have been ordered to the Cape.

Received this day at 9 1 a m. London, Nov. 18.

The Standard states that Fischer, the Boer emissary, has returned to Holland. He was persuaded by persons in influential positions, that the Kaiser's policy in regard to the Transvaal will remain unchanged. In the Bavarian Chamber Barton Von Crailsheim, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Boers were admitted brave but the German policy could not advise or interfere. Intervention was impossible, and was against the will of ono of the parties. London, Nov 18. The railway in course of construction from Dundee to Vryheid, has been completed beyond Dejarsdrif t. T>he crew of the Dutch fishing boat confining their captain the cabin, pretended they were Jin distress. A Ramsgate smack came to their assistance. The Dutchmen boarded the English boat shouting ' Long livo the Boers,' and wounded several English. Ultimately they allowed the smack to proceed. The Hague, Nov 18. Dr Kuyper, the Dutch Premier, _in speaking hero and replying to critics, justified consistent neutrality added to a watchful opportunity for tendering officers in favor of pease.

London, Nov 18. Brussels advices state that Do Wet has collected 6,000 including 1,500 Africanders and commences a vigorous offensive campaign in the North Orange Colony.

Experiences of Trooper Tasker. Trooper Charles Tasker, whose case has been creating some interest owing to the hardships attending his arrest and deportatin to England under sentence for a breach of military regulations, has sent some further interesting notes to hi 3 relatives in Wellington, which the "Post" publishes, The letter was written on board the troopship Tagus—which was in New Zealand waters with our returned troopers recently—and the writer says that there were about 1000 men on the vessel, bound for England. A former letter concerning his own troubles was written by Trooper Tasker in the guardroom at Capetown. Contiauj ing his narrative, he states that he was put into a cell with an Australian, and they were under lock and key, except for one hour, when they were given exercise After a week of this experience they were ordered Home, and transferred to the guardroom on board the Tagus. During Hie voyage they got three hours' exercise daily. The heat wae terrible, but no heed was paid to the complaints to officers cr doctor. Tasker became ill, and remained so for the greater part of the voyage. Ihe letter was written when England was in sight, and he was feeling better then. He adds that "it was simply astonishing the way poor Tommy was treated." Oae man in the party had got a sentence of two years' imprisonment for having refused to carry his saddle on the veldt, j ..Tasker promises to give some interesting particulars aboat the treatment of Tommy Atkins when he gets his freedom and returns to Wellington. He adds that he intended placing his case before lord Roberts, and hopes to see justice done to himself within a short time after his arrival at Aldershot, his destination. As our readers already know, the steps taken on bis behalf have led to the promise that he will be released in January.