The Boer War.

Manawatu Herald, 28 February 1905, Page 3

The Boer War.

COLONE

„ PORTER’S VIEWS.

DIFFERENT INCIDENTS

Colonel Porter, one of the witnesses subpoenaed in the Seddon v. Taylor

case, but who was not called, was interviewed by a Gisborne Herald reporter and asked to make a statement regarding the incident in South Africa which led up to the action, it being pointed out that as the officer who conducted the regimental enquiry, he would be in the best position to

furnish an accurate account of the

proceedings. Colonel Porter said lie would give the facts without neither party having been previously informed by him. The responsibility rested upon him a;', officer in charge of

the regiment to clear up reflections on the regiment, which had behaved so well throughout the war. There was no court-martial held under the Army Act and the King’s regulations, neither was there a martial court, which was a term unknown in the military vocabulary. He, as olficer commanding, held an inquiry, having held several similar inquiries on various occasions to satisfy himscll as

„ to what had occurred. It was held the same evening. Captain Seddon gave him a written report and he then took the evidence of some of the officers and men who were called as witnesses in. the late action, obtaining statements from all parts of the held. The conclusion he came to and reported to the officer commanding was, by reference to his rough diary, Us follows: “ I held an inquiry into the action at 9 p.m., and found no blame was attachable. All acted as best they could have done and behaved well.” Colonel Porter further said that the evening before there was an engagement. Thy drove the enemy back, ‘ and saw a largo mob of cattle. Colonel Grey asked for one hundred men to go and bring them in. The scouts went some miles in advance, and then

the supports got in touch with the enemy. They fell back on their supports, and whilst doing so the Beers

commenced to outflank them. Had there been a delay the whole force would have been cut off at the drift and, the column being seven or eight miles away, would have received no assistance. There was a race for the drift. A mistake had been made by the commander of the column in sending the squadron out believing there

were no Boers in the vicinity. There was undoubtedly a great risk in sending them after cattle. Had the scouts fallen back earlier not a man would have been killed. They were, howeuer, eager to get the cattle. Captain Seddon, the previous ey ruing, was in a tight corner. The 'Boers were driven back, and, for several miles, Captain Seddon led in front of his men so closely that he was rebuked by Colonel While for his rashness. On

Another occasion, in the Orange River ißoleny, when De La Rey attempted to rescue a convoy, Captain Seddon was bringing up the rear and protecting the convoy. He was unsupported, but dashed back to a ridge and prevented a recapture, being highly complimented by Major Bauchop. PREMIER’S DISAPPROVAL. Mr Seddon has sent the following telegram to Colonel Porter: —“A paragraph appears in the evening papers, sent by the Press Association from Gisborne, under the heading. ‘ Interview with Colonel Porter,’ and given to a Herald representative. It purports to be a statement made hv you respecting an incident connected with the recent action. Captain Seddon and myself are much annoyed, and regret exceedingly that yon should, without consulting us or allowing ns to know your intentions, and without warning of any kind, have acted so unwisely. I trust yon will inform the press representative that Captain Seddon and myself resent your action. The matter had been settled as between the parties and there it should have been allowed to rest. It is another case of ‘ Save me from my friends,’ and seeing yon are a Government officer your action is all (he more reprehensible. I trust you will let the public know definitely that your indescreel action is resented by mvsclf and Captain Seddni, and that we were not cither directly or. indirectly privy to your intention.”