THE BOER WAR.

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

THE BOER WAR.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] London, December 4. Dartnell's Imperial Light Horse surprised and captured 24 Boers at Harrismith, including Cornet Lyon (an active leader) and Captain Pretorius, with 800 cattle and 150 horses. Lieut Hamor (of the New Zealand Mounteds) has sailed for England. Colonel Copper, who is organising Transvaal volunteers, expected the strength 'to be 10,000, and ultimately supersede the constabulary. Botha, with 1800 men at Kliptafel, is anxious to fight, but the men refuse. Lord Kitchener's despatches mention that Captain Simpson (Seventh New Zealanders) and Lieut. Quintal (New South Wales Bushmen) greatly distinguished themselves during the night of the capture of Spandcrberg laager at Durhoninspruio. Lieut. Tudor (Sixth New Zealand Mounteds) was with great gallantry holding the position on the Colpon River for three hours against fifty of the enemy with twelve men. Lieut. Caskey (Queensland) was ment'.oncd on the same occasion; Major Andrews, for handling troops well in action at Mokaridrift; Captain Knight, for excellent service in commanding detached troops in the Orange Colony; Private Baigcut, for a brave rescue of a comrade under heavy fire at Bastardsdrift (all belong to the Sixth New Zealand Mounteds); Lieut. Mo flit (third New South Wales Mounteds) for gallam and dashing conduct at Vaal Eiver in capturing fifteen Boers.

Sergt-Major Lockett (Seventh New Zcalanders) was awarded a distinguished conduct medal for the gallant rescue of a prisoner at Losberg, losing an arm in onsoijueuce of the wound he received.

Sydney, December 4.

There was an interesting ceremony and brilliant assemblage at the presentation by the Li cut-Governor of the first Victoria Cross that came to a New South Wales recipient, Captain Howie, of the Army Medical Corps. When the cross was pinned on his breast Captain Howie crossed to the two veterans who won the coveted distinction in the days of Lucknow and Delhi and shook them by the hand. Several of the officers received the distinguished order of decoration at the same time.