THE BOER WAS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 362, 12 March 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAS.

A BRITISH REVERSE. By Telegraph—lress Association -Copyright London, March 11. Delarcy has captured Lord Methuen, with several officers and four gnus. Lord Methuen was wounded in the th , h. Thirty British were killed and wounded. Many were captured. In the House of Lords, reference was made to Lord Methuen's capture. Lord Huberts expressed warm appreciation of Lord Methuen, and deprecated adverse criticism. Lord Salisbury concurred in the opinion expressed try Lord Roberts. THE BAD NEWS DELAYED. LORD KITCHENER’S REPORT. NEWS BROUGHT IN 3Y PURSUED TROOPERS. (Received March 11, ‘J.SU p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 10. Lord Kitchener reported on Saturday that he greatly regretted to report the capture of Lord Methuen wita guns, baggage, many officers and men. The news, Lord Kitchener stated, was brought to Mango by fifty mounteds, who were pursued by the enemy four miles from the scene of action. He suggested delay of publication until he had received definite information.

Hi; had arranged to send troops to the district. lie considered Delarey’s sudden activity was an attempt to relieve the pressure on DeWet. Further particulars state that Lieutenants G. Venning and T. Nesharn were killed after displaying great gallantry in serving the guns. Tldrtv-nine others were killed. Lour’officers were severely wounded, and one dangerously ; seventy men wore wounded. Captain W. Tilney and two hundred ..were missing, but- many were probably included in arrivals at Marigo.

LORD ROBERTS’ TRIBUTE TO LORD METHUEN. THINKS HE WILL BE WELL CARED FOR BY DEL ARE Y. (Received 10.7 p.m., March 11.) London, March 10. Lord Roberts, referring to Lord Methuen’s action at Magersfontein, says that after a careful survey of the Boer position at that place ho was convinced that Lord Methuen had been given an almost impossible task, and was not blaineable for his failure to relieve Kimberley. Since then he had distinguished himself by his zeal and intelligence. He had shown great perseverance, and had not sustained a check. He was beloved by the men ; no work was too hard for him to give to them. “ Lord Methuen,” says Lord Roberts, “ more than once assisted to look after Dclarey’s family, and I aur convinced from the humane and civilised manner in which Dolarey has acted throughout that Lord Methuen will be well cared for by him.”

FURTHER DETAILS. THE BRITISH CAUGHT UNAWARES. CHARGED ON THREE SIDES. STAMPEDING OF THE MULES. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Received 10.40 p.m., March 11. London, March 11. Lord Kitchener’s despatch explained that Lord Methuen and Major Pans, with nine hundred mouuteds and three hundred infantry, four guns, and a pompom, moving from Wynbcrg to Lichtenberg, met Granfell, with thirteen hundred mouuteds, at Rooirayesfontein on Saturday. [The day is given as cabled, and may refer to the previous week, j Early on Friday, when between Twebosch “and Palimetal, Delarey’s force charged Methuen on three sides. Lord Kitchener, on Sunday, reports that Major Paris, with the remainder of the men, had arrived at Kranpan. He reports that the column moved in two parties. Some, with ox waggons, left Twebosch at three o’clock, the mule waggons leaving at 4 o’clock in the morning. The attack was made after dawn, and before reinforcements were available the rear screen broke.

Many Boers galloped at both flanks. At first the Boers were checked by flank parties, but pauic and stampeding amongst the mules had already began. All the mule waggons, with a terrible mixture of mounteds, rushed past the ox

waggons. All efforts to cheek them proved unavailing. Major Paris collected forty men and occupied a position a mile ahead of the ox waggons, which brought them to a standstill.

After a gallant but useless defence the enemy rushed into the waggons. Major Paris and his force were surrounded and surrendered at ten o’clock.

HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED. DESPATCHES READ WITH PROFOUND SILENCE. THEN CHEERS AND LAUGHTER FROM NATIONALIST BENCH. CRIES OF SHAME ! MR DILLON VAINLY TRIES TO STOP THE JEERING. (Received March 12, 12.52 a.m.) By telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 11. Lord Spencer and Lord Salisbury paid a generous tribute to Lord Methuen. Mr Brodrick, in the House of Commons, read the dopatches amidst profound silence until he announced the capture of Lord Methuen, guns, and baggage. Then some Nationalists burst out with cheers and laughter. The cheers and laughter were intermingled with cries of “ Shame 1” from the Ministerial and other benches.

Mr Dillon, in the absence of Mr Redmond, vainly tried to check McNeill and other noisy members. Mr Dillon and Mr Healy joined the majority of the House in cheering Mr Brodrick’s tribute to Lord Methuen.

MONDAY’S DESPATCH. CONFUSION FIRST CAUSED BY THE NATIVE “ BOYS.” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 12, 12.52 a.m). London, March 11. Mr Brodrick, at midnight, read a further despatch from Lord Kitchener. The despatch was dated Monday. It showed that the ox convoy, escorted by half of Lord Methuen's force, preceded the mules by an hour. Delarey, with fifteen hundred men, nearly all wearing khaki, and assisted by a 15 pounder and a pom-pom, suddenly made an enveloping attack on the rear. The first confusion was caused by the native “ boys ” galloping the led horses through the mule convoy, while the latter, under Lord Methueu’s directions, was endeavoring to join the ox convoy.

The disorder was communicated to the mounted men.

The Boers got close beside the waggons, and frustrated all attempts to make a rally.

Sections of the mounted and mule waggons galloped three miles beyond the ox waggons, and then intercepted them. THE I‘UO BOERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 10.

The Transvaal Legation assert that Steyu and Schaikburger informed Lord Kitchener that they would only negotiate

oil the basis of complete independence. Steyn's official newspaper devotes much space to the reproduction of Sir H. C Bannerman's speech on the “ methods of barbarism " and utterances of other pro Boer members of the House of Commons.

LIEUTENANT PIIAIR. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night. Miss Phair, of Devonport, has received a message from her brother, Lieutenant Phair, of the Seventh Contingent, stating that he was wounded in both legs in thtreceut euagciiient, but is doing well. NEW ZEALANDERS AT THE FRONT. SIXTH CONTINGENT LEAVING FOR HOME. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. Colonel Pilcher cables to the Government a 3 follows from Capetown, under date the Bth inst.: 3881 Josephson is out of danger. Lieutenant llovcll is well aiuYwith his regiment. Departures, ex Atbenic : 1326 Corlett, 2420 Wilson, 4257 Anderson, 4630 Munn, 8225 Dailey. Major Andrews wires : The Sixth Con tingent leaves Standerton for Capetown, en route for New Zealand, on the 11th inst.

CABLES TO PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night. The Premier has received a cable from Major Pilcher, Capetown, that Lieutenant Hovel), son of Dean Ilovell, is out of danger, and that 3381 Josephson is out of danger. The Premier has received a cable from Major Andrews of the Sixth Contingent, dated March 6tli:—“ Left Staudorton for Capetown en routo for Now Zealand. Departures by the Atbenic on March Bth were: 1426 Corlett, 2420 Wilson, 4257 Anderson, 4636 Muun, 8225 Daley.