LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 129, 11 June 1901, Page 3

LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

TROOPER KENNY.

Some very interesting letters have been received from Trooper Kenny, who left Gisborne to go with the Sixth Contingent to South Africa. In a letter to his mother the trooper states : “ Since leaving Pretoria we have had a great march. It is 180 miles to here, and there is no mistake it is great. We are under General Plumor, and our column consists of 3000 men, mostly Australians, although they are from all regiments. Wo have had a good bit of sniping the last few days. There were five or six of the Tasmanians wounded; in fact, some of the Now Zealanders were slightly wounded. Well, there is no mistake, this war is very unsatisfactory. It comes hard on us to have to como up and turn all tho women out of their homes. They don’t like being taken prisoners, but it is no use. We were all disappointed yesterday morning when on arrival at thisplaco to find that all the “ Jacks ” had tied. We were expecting thero would be a good flutter, instead of a few miserable shots. We are having a good spell to-day, and to-morrow we are to trek along further. The country up here is very feverish, especially for the horses, and we haven’t been able to commandeer horses since leaving Pretoria. There are now about 120 of New Zealanders hoofing it all tho way, and I suppose there will bo a few more very soon, although I can always get a good horse. I might mention I have joined the General’s own police force. Thero wore eight of us picked out of the New Zealanders, and so Jack Ryan and I were there together. There is no mistake, it is a dangerous game, but you are your own boss, and there is another Is a day attached to it. Well, there is great excitement here just now between the prisoners, donkeys, Kaffirs, and everything. It is most surprising. There are some great curios here, but you can’t got them along with you. It seems an awful pity to leave them behind, also stores, draper’s shops, and everything is smashed and left. You can’t credit anything. Well, there is one good thing in our favor, and that is, that the rain is giving us a fair chance, although we had a few wet nights and no tents ready. A little is all right.” In a letter to a friend, Trooper Kenny states :—“ This country has surprised us wonderfully, for according to the reports we were used to reading and hearing one would think that a goat could hardly live hero, but instead of that we have passed through some of the best agricultural land procurable. Of course we see it at its best just now, but you can believe me it is not half so bad as it is painted. The Transvaal is very rich, and grows anything, including pines, oranges, bananas, etc., and finer fruit you could not lay your eyes on. Since leaving Pretoria (a miserable place) we have had pretty fair weather for our march. We are now beginning to lose our horses as wo travel further north, the country b’eing very unhealthy up here, and getting worse as we trek on. There are several beautiful farms to be seen on the way. There is no mistake the Dutch people have had a very lazy life until the present trouble. From what I can understand they never had anything to do but read and play the piano, and leave the Kaffirs to do the toil. No expense whatever. It is surprising the number of blacks employed by the Government for the convoys, etc., and they all get £8 and £lO a month. They are well worth it, as they all know the country. All hands have been expecting to see the “Jacks” ever since we left East London, but they never put themselves in the way until March 30, at Warmbath, when we had the pleasure of witnessing our first fire. Warmbath is a very nice little village, with hot baths and springs all around. Wo only halted long enough to get our “ wash.” Pietersbnrg is not very large. At present the population is between two and three hundred, chiefly women and children. We don’t intend staying here much longer. The inhabitants are all being sent to Pretoria, and some of the poor creatures don’t like leaving their nice little homes. Everything has to be left behind in the shape of furniture, etc., and it seems a great pity that such valuable furniture should be taken and used by the blacks after we go. Stores, including drapers, watchmakers, etc., will all be destroyed. Hundreds of pounds worth left. One can’t imagine it at all. There were eight of us chosen to join General Plumer’s own police force. Of course, there is a little more danger attached to it.”