THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 353, 1 March 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

DISASTER TO NEW ZEALANDERS. 13} Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Feb. 20. In checking Botha, the Seventh New Zealanders lost two officers and eighteen men killed, and five officers and thirtythree men wounded. A Reuter message states that Commandants Alberts and Ross aud the two Bothas, with some Trausvaalers, totalling 700 men, attempted to cross Colonels Byng and Rimington’s lines from Yrede to Bothasberg, to the northwards. 'The brunt of the fighting fell on Colonel Ciurratt's New Zealanders, who, by superb valor, defeated the attempt, but lost two officers and 18 tuen killed, and five officers and 83 wounded. The Boers abandoned one hundred horses and six thousand cattle.

Tho Boers first goaded a herd of cattle to a gallop, but the New Zealanders shot seventy, which had the effect of checking the rest. From behind the cover of the dead cattle and horses, the Boers maintained a heavy lire until they wero repulsed. A few escaped.

Hans Botha and Main Botha were amongst the most determined fighters. Wellington, yesterday.

Tho Premier has received with regret the following cable from Colonel Porter, commanding the Seventh Contingent, forwarded by Major Pilcher from Capetown ;

“ I regret that it is my duty to report a severe engagement, with heavy loss to the New Zealand Seventh Contingent, at midnight on February 23. “ Upwards of eight hundred Boors, under H. Botha, Ross, and Albert, broke through, driving the cordon line of outposts at a point held by 100 of the left wing.

“ Under cover of a thousand cattle, the enemy rushed the position in overwhelming force, irresistible and bold. “ Our men, in the shelter of the trenches, bravely and gallantly resisted the onslaught, which is evidenced by 59 casualties, all in the trenches. “ There were 24 killed and 27 wounded. Our loss is heavy. “There were many instances of heroism, and uot one skulker is reported. All fully maintained bravely the reputation of the New Zealand soldiers, and that is the only solatium I can offer the relatives.” The Government have not yet received any information as to the names of those New Zealanders killed and wounded iu South Africa, but the Premier, in order to allay the anxiety of colonists, has wired urgently io the New Zealand representative ip Capetown for the names and full particulars, and on receipt of this information it will be supplied to every postmaster in New Zealand. (Received 12.30 a.m. March 1.) LONDON, Feb. 28. The following is a list of the casualties to the members of the Seventh Contingent of New Zealand Mounted troops, sustained in the fighting which occurred near Vrede, when tiie gallant New Zealanders made such a splendid stand against the onslaught of the Doers KILLED, LIEUTENANT HAROLD DICKENSON. Lithographer, parents residing in Christchurch, LIEUTENANT WILLIAM GEORGE FORSYTH. Printer, of Blub Ilill, Napier (relatives in Gisborne). SERGEANT ARTHUR NOONAN. Driver, of Alcaroa, Canterbury, FARRIER-SERGEANT OWEN TURNER. Blacksmith, of Amberley, Christchurch, CORPORAL ALFRED FIRTH. Laborer, of Westland, parents residing in Oamaru, CORPORAL ALBERT RUSSELL. Storeman, Wellington, where his parents reside, LANCE CORPORAL WILLIAM RODDICK. Laborer, of Temuka. LANCE CORPORAL DUNGAN, Journalist, of Christchurch. LANCE CORPORAL ANDERSON. Farmer, of Reefton. LANCE CORPORAL PERCY NATION. Storekeeper, of Levin, Wellington. FARRIER LEONARD RETTER. Blacksmith, of Jolinsonville, near Wellington, PRIVATE DAVID BRUCE. Laborer, of Tinwald, Ashburton. PRIVATE JOSEPPI ASHMORE. Laborer, Owaka, Otago. PRIVATE JOHN CONNIBAN. Farmer of Pleasant P oint, Canterbury, PRIVATE WILLIAM DUNLOP, Farmer, of P'ine Bush, Otago. PRIVATE PETER FLETCHER. Farmer, of Mornington, Dunedin. PRIVATE HARRY FINCH. Laborer, of Eltham, Taranaki.

PRIVATE WILLIAM G. MONAHAN, Ploughman, of Temuka, Canterbury. PRIVATE THOMAS McLEW, Farmer, of Dunbach, Otago, ALEXANDER SCOTT. Farmer, of Clifden, Southland, WALTER STEVENSON. Draper, of Timaru. HERBERT TIMMS. Farrier, of Christchurch. PRIVATE ALFRED WHITNEY.. Groom, of Timaru. LYTTON DITEBY. Farmer, of Akaroa.

DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. LIEUTENANT JAMES COLLEGE. Clerk, of Auckland. LIEUTENANT STAPLETON CAULTON. Auckland. lie is well-known in Gisliorne, where he was for many years resident, and is a veteran volunteer. He was a member of the Hawke’s Bay Defence Force, and fought at Omaranui and elsewhere under Colonel Porter. He was also a member of the Cook County Rifles under Captain Ferris. Mr Caulton is, 65 years of age and it is feared that his injuries may go hard with him. During his residence he was well-known as proprietor of the Masonic Hotel, and as a sheepfarmer at Waimata and Ormond.

He has also in recent, years been licensee of the Central Hotel at Auckland. SERGEANT WALTER TILLER (? Miller, of Wellington.) •RIYATE BENNETT. Cattledealer, Timaru. WILLIAM HILL, Auckland.

SEVERELY WOUNDED. Lieutenant Charles Phair. Lieutenant William- H. Wilson (Christchurch). Lieutenant Dennis Hickie. Sergeant Kenneth Malcolm. Sergeant Charles Minifie. Sergeant James Conn (Dunedin). Corporal Andrew Houston Corporal Thomas Lt-gg "Corporal J. C. Gilmore Lance-Corporal Edward Wylds Privates .John Buchanan Thos. Frame Maurice Fitzgerald George Fookes Robert Hardie Charles Dunford James C. McLellan William C. McDonald - John Isbister Pavid McDiaruiid

Albert Rosinorski Fred Albert Rosinorski Frederick M. Rogers Albert Sands SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. Squadron Sergeant-Major Pat. Cottone Corporal M. Carr Farrier-Corporal M. Ross Piivates George Armstrong William Boon William H. Cook Gordon Reynolds Janies J. Scott Roland Westropp PRESS COMMENTS. CONSPICUOUS SERVICE TO TIIE EMPIRE. Du WET STILL WITHIN THE TOILS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Loudon, Feb. "IS. The Standard's correspondent says that the columns formed a portion of a combined sweeping movement, one drive being eastwards and another southwards, culmma'.mg at Ha.-ismith. Colonels Byng and Remington sweep round southwards during the night, which was wot with the moon showing dimly. The Boers attempting to traverse northwards used cattle as a wedge and ultimately as a cover. They drove tho herd against Colonel Byng's right flank, where ho joined Colonel liimington’s left. The New Zealanders boro tho brunt of the attack. They were compelled to expose themselves, but repelled the enemy with tho utmost dash. The enemy also displayed great gallantry. The combined sweep continues. Do Wet is still within the toils. Tho newspapers comment on the fact that at the moment Canada was celebrating tho achievement at Paardeberg, New Zealand, at the price of sorrow, adds tho Seventh’s achievement to a splendid rocord.

The Standard says that Englishmen will rejoice that tho colonials have again been of conspicuous sorvico to tho Empire.