THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 December 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

(PKE PBESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

(.Received Dec 24 at 11 18 p m) London, December 24.

Do Wet, with 800, formed an ambush in Rairne Land berg', He had a gun on a neighboring eminence and signalled Dartnell's approach. . * The Boere, firing rapidly, charged within 150 yards, when they were checked.

They then charged the flanks and the rear guard were retiring when Campbell approached.

Dartnell marched 120 miles in 81 hours without transport.

200 of tho 14th Mounted Infantry under Major Brigford, while searching farms at Begenderlyn, were attacked by 300 Boers and 40 armed natives under Britz.

The Boers charged with determinatiou, overwhelming a portion before Speras was able to assist them. The casualties were severe.

Two of the officers are daogeroußly wounded.

Damant's and Remington's columns, marching parallel three miles aparj;, reached Tafelkop at dawn on the 20th. Damant's advance guard, while galloping to intercept Boers crossing the river at Maggiesded, mistook the 800 Boers under M Botha for Yeomanry, since they formed squadrons and were apparently firing volleys at an enemy, allowed them to approach close, whai Cap Urn Scott's squadron detected the decepion and fired, dropping eight. The rest of the Boers with great dadng rushed the kopje commanding the main body and the guns. Damunt with ene troop tried to gain the si est, and at first failed; but, sheltered below, he fought till all were killed and wounded except four. Scott collected his men and charged and captured the kopje with great gallanty. The enemy were only a short time in possession.

Damant is dangerously wounded. He was hit four times, but is progressing .favorably.

Two officers and 20 meu were killed and tin ee officers and 17 men wounded.

Remington pursued the enemy vigorously, diiving the Boers across the Wilg« River, where they scattered, leaving six dead on the field. Remington captured five, including Commandant Keyter. The Boers are applying for leave to bury their dead. They admitted that they had already interred 27.

(Received Dec 25, at 10 50 a m). London, December 24.

Commandants Muller and Trichaard, with a large force and a pom pomi attacked Colonel Park at Elaandspruit' on the night of the 19th. But they were repulsed after fighting for an hour, leaving 8 killed, including Commandant Krieze, and had numerous wounded. Seven British were killed and 6 officers and 18 men wounded. Mackenzie on the 19th attacked Smut's commando at Lake Bara gher killing six and capturing sixteen. Smut escaped. Colon brand er captured sixty near Pieter»burg. The National Scouts look fourteen prisoners at Olifant's Nek. The Black Watch and the Essex Regiments have arrived at Durban. Sche&pers is in a state of collapse, and the trial is postponed.

Melbourne, December 24

Some light Lus been thiown on tho agitation for a Federal Contingent. Th« Federal Government aie in no way entitled to any credit in the matter. It appeai'B that at the request of Mr McCnllocl), Mr Heuniker Heaton some time ago wired to, Mr Chamberlain that 1000 men. could* if necessary, be despatched within a month. Heaton's wire was sent a week before New Zealand made her latest offer. The military authorities are bosh ged with applications for places in the contingent. (deceived Tec 26, ut 1 17 a m.) London, December 25. Seventy of Kruitzinger's force, chiefly Craddock rebels, have taken rtfuge in tlio Candibco mountains.

The blockhouse line from Kroonstad to Lindley is neatly completed. Strong parties trying to prevent the work were repulsed.

The Biitish casualties at Tafelkop were 32 killed and 38 wounded.

Tiie Bi-gindf-rlyn losses were 12 killed and 20 wounded.

Williams, after a fight with Has* broek, pursued and killed several, ins eluding Hasbroek's brother, and cap T tured FicldhCometFroneman and seven otLera.

Lord Roberts ha 3 issued an army order emphasizing the vital importance of the cars of horses and officers' baggage being limited to 30 pounds. Lord Kitchener's weekly report is 45 killed, 25 wounded, 300 taken prisoners, and 35 surrendered; 150 rifle?, 1200 horse 3, and 8,600 cattle were captured. Heavy rains are impeding operations.