THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 420, 20 May 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 18. Reuter’s Capetown correspondent Btatos that four hundred Boers have been captured, including oue liundre i rebels, in a drive to the Bechuanaland blockhouses. _ Lieutenant H. R. Richards, of the Ninth New Zealanders, is convalescent, and has resumed duty. THE TIMES LESS HOPEFUL OF PEACE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighi London, May 19. The Times and Daily Mail advices from Pretoria are less reassuring in regard to the result of the deliberations. There are one hundred and sixty delegates at Vereenigiug. The Daily Telegraph states that tho Lichenberg commando voted for peace. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The officer commanding at the Capo cables that Hugh Rocs, of Westport, of the Seventh Contingent, has sailed by tho Aurania for Australia. Sergeant Robinson, of V ellingtou (Seventh) is returning by the Tokomaru. Lance-Corporal Little, of Auckland (Sixth) has been discharged from the hospital at Cl;a:Vrtcvn convalescent. ' HOMEWARD BOUND. By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, last night. There was a very large crowd at the railway-station to-night to welcome tho returned troopers. The Rifles, Guards, and Garrison Band were present. The Mayor and Mr Smith, M.H.R., welcomed the mon, who were heartily cheered. Tho Auckland section went on by tho Ngapuhi,

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT. Tho following statistics with regard to tho Sixth will bo of interest:—lnvalided to New Zoaland 58, to England 2, to New Zoaland (time expired) 5, discharged 4, transferred to the Soventh Contingent 4, to the Eighth 2, to Ninth 23, to Tenth 11, to tho Intelligence Department 31, to Coronation Contingent 7. Discharged in England 11, left in hospital 64, died 12, killed in action, etc., 5, non-commissioned, officers promoted 12, absent at Capetown 44, invalided from Albany 2, officers killed 1, men killed 3, shot accidentally 1, drowned 1, officers wounded 2, men wounded 12, wounded accidentally 1. The contingent trekked over 3250 miles. On the eve of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent leaving Standorton on the 11th March, en route for home, General Plutner, under whose command tho New Zealanders had served, addressed them in the following terms ‘‘l have just como to say a few words to you before you loave on the conclusion of your work in this country. I shall not say very mnob, except to tell you that your work has been as good as that of former Cortingents. You did not arrive in time to ako part in tho big fightß, except the nen who have served in former Contingeats, but you arrived in time to take pari in the march to Pietersburg, the last town held by the Boers, and to take part in the last part of the first act of the var. Since theu, you have been doing good work, gradually clearing the districts, and reducing tho number of Boers in the field—the only way to bring the war to a oonolußion. This is not as exciting work as big battles, but this work enables officers and mei to have a greater chance of distinguishing themselves than in the big fights, and of these chances which have fallen to your share you havo made the most. You have been under my command the whole time in this country, and so I am the only senior officer able to speak as toyour work. I can honestly say that lam perfectly satisfied with that work. I shink we can claim to have done our fair share of the work during the past year, and thereby hastening the conclusion o! the war, and I think you can go home with proud feelings that you have preserved the good name which the contingents flora your colony have had. I wish you a bapp' voyage and good luck.” Colonel Colvin, addressing the tropes on the same occasion, said:—“lmmfi thank you all for your work in clsriag the country, working night and day. and I can only tell you I am very profi to have had such a good regiment under ny command. We owe a debt of gratitudi tq New .Zealand for the splendid way in which she has come forward, and ym have had a doublo satisfaction of having kept up and added to the glory of the good name which has been so well earned by New Zealanders. lam very sorry to part with you and never had a better regiment under my command. All I can say is good'luck and a safe voyage to those returning home, and to those slaying more honor and power.”