THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 342, 17 February 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, I’cb. 1L

The recent drive demoralised the Boers, i who hid in the gras.-, in dongas, and in i the beds of the rivers, many shooting S their horses. The country was systeuiati j rally searched, and many prisoueis, hum ! dreds of horse, and thousands of cattle I captured. He Wet intended : o make a big move i when his guns were captured. The drive ] prevented him creeping eastward during i the night. In the fighting along the Heilbron I blockhouse line on the 7ih searchlights : facilitated the terrific firing, which was ! tiiu worst since the fighting round Ladysmith. The Boor prisoners describe it as hell. Commandant Bester was killed, and Field-Cornets Taljaard, Pnnsloo, and Überdaal captured. The prisoners estimate there are twelve j thousand Boers still in the field. De Wet, they say, has some Krupp guns hidden.

DEATH OF NEW ZEALANDERS.

REPUDIATING SLANDERS.

KINDLY TREATMENT OF MRS DkWET.

By Telegiaph—Press Association—Copyright

London, Feb. 15,

The Standard’s correspondent states that before tbe " drive ” reached Heilbron fourteen hundred Boers crept back, DeWet trying to rejoin them in Reitz district.

The following deaths of Seventh Now Zealanders are announced Privates Albert Davidson and Hugh O. Gillies, at Charlestown.

Eighty leading German residents at Capetown have forwarded Sir Gordon Spriggs a resolution condemning the calumnies on the British, especially in reference to the alleged revolting treatment of the women and children, which they state are absolutely unfounded. Tho municipality of Johannesburg passed a similar resolution, M. Epler, late Austria Consul, warmly endorsing it.

In the House of Commons Mr Brodrick stated that Mrs DeWet was in camp at Natal. She was at liberty to leave South Africa, but not to enter Cape Colony. The statement was received with cheers.

NEWS OF NEW ZEALANDERS.

THE CASUALTIES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. The following cable messages were received at the Premier’s office to-day from Mr Filcher, Government agent at Capetown : ‘-The following are convalscent at Capetown, and awaiting the steamer for return : 3542 Stum and 3254 Marshall. All the New Zealanders in Charlestown Hospital aro doing well except those who were reported last "week as being dangerously ill.’’ Colonel Porter cables from Heilbron, under date 10th February “In from pursuit of DeWet. Most successful, and received compliments from Lord Kitchener, especially on recapture of gun I reported to you on 3rd.” Under date Heilbron, loth February, the Colonel reports : “ Report of general operations against DeWet 14th : In contact several times with, minor engagements and loss ; column operating under BrigadierGeneral Byng. Contingent captured 11 prisoners, 16 rifles, 1000 rounds of ammunition, 570 horses, 470 mixed cattle, 10,000 sheep, 11 waggons, 13 carts, and 16 saddles. Casualties, one killed and two wounded. One died of enteric. General health of wounded and siek, doing well. Strength in field, 480.” A message to the Governor, dated Capetown, 10th February, says : “ The following death is reported, at Charleston on 9th February, Sixth New Zealander, 3225 Egbert Dawson. The following casualties are reported, at Ondraihon on 3rd February, in Seventh New Zealanders : Slightly wounded, 4123 Sergt. Henry N. Robinson ; dangerously ill at Dordrecht, 193 David Parsons, at Charlestown 2466 Corpl. H. Brown, 3646 Wm. C. Partridge, 3630 Ed. McCullough, 3504 H. J. F. Heley, 3367 Geo. A. Fraser (Wellington), 3552 Fred. G. Thomas, 3655 Basil Stevens, 3293 George Walker, all of enteric fever. The following casualties are reported near Beaufort West, sth February, Brabant’s Horse, Charles Clarke killed (parents at Auckland) ; died of enteric at Ermelo, 31st January, Johannesburg Rifles, Corpl. T. R. Drungald—his father is N. Drungald, of Burreona (?)