IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1921, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ANOTHER AMBUSH. A PITCHED BATTLE. LONDON, February 25. Seventy members of the Crown Foices travelling in lorries .with the object of conducting a round-up, were ambushed by four hundred Sinn Feiners, entrenched in the hills near Mat-room. At the first onslaught one auxiliary was killed and six wounded of the force. A pitched battle ensued. Major Grant, the commanding officer, was killed. The Crown forces were hopelessly outnumbered and withdrew, leaving about ten wounded, who are now presumed to be dead. When the auxiliaries were nearing the base of Mac-room, the rebels returned to the mountains Mat-room is fortified with machine guns, trained on the roads leading to the town. Police and military, aided by aeroplanes are scouring the district. The 'Sinn Fein casualties are believed to have been heavy.

BIGGEST FIGHT YET. CROWN FORCES ATTACK FAIL. LONDON, February 26. The ilmbush at Mac-room, which was one of the centres of the revolutionary movement, is described as the biggest battle that has yet occurred in Ireland. It commenced early in the morning end was continued until two in the afu-r----noon. It covered five miles of country. The Auxiliaries were caught when ;ii«y entered the craggy country. At first they adva'nced, being followed by the ears, until three explosions! occurred in rapid succession which were a signal that the auxiliary fori es were iu a regular death trap. The road had been mined. The first two cars were already disabled. The killed included the Sinn Fein hostage in the first car. An intense rifle fire from behind boulders followed. The auxiliaries then attacked, but they failed to dislodge the reltels. . One car, however, escaped and reached Maeroom where it called upon reinforcements.

At Maeroom in the meantime, the auxiliary force were retreating the rebels continuing a hot running fire, as they drove the police hack towards Macroom. The auxiliaries here outmanoeuvred the Sinn Feiners and thus prevent ed the latter surrounding them though the Sinn Feiners were continually netting nearer and nearer.

A wireless call to Cork resulted in large, reinforcements of troops along with Hotchkiss guns, rifles and aero-

planes being sent to Maeroom. The Sinn Feiners, however, then immediately relinquished the attack and fled hack to the hills. Maeroom is now in a state of great alarm. All business is suspended. The inhabitants have been ordered to remain indoors.

NO military casualties. LOUDON, February 26 Official.—A Lublin communique staies that following upon the ambush of the auxiliaries at Maeroom, the Royal Fusiliers carried out a running fight lasting two hours against the rebels who occupied some high ground behind the military. Two civilians were taken prisoner. The military suffered no casualties. Constable Keane," who was wounded at Maeroom, died.