NEWS FROM THE FRONT.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 222034, 9 January 1900, Page 2

NEWS FROM THE FRONT.

The following letter was received from Trooper 0. McLeaD, of the Coromandel Rifles, by his parents at Te Aroha, who went to South Africa with the New Zealand contingent. Oh reading the following it will be seen with what determination and spirit the men are going to the front: De Aar Junction, Nov. 29th, 1899.

u I am writing you a few line* to let you know that I am well. We were in camp- only two days when we were ordered to the front, and we have been travelling on board the train for the last 88 hours. We are about 500 miles from the Cape. We arrived at De Aar station about 6 o’clock this morning (Wednesday), and as we stop for an hour to feed and water the horses, I took advantage of the time by writing this, letter, as it will be, perhaps, some tim« before you get another, as we have to go straight to the front, and expect to be into the fighting some time to day. All the boys seem delighted at the thought of having a * scrap,’ and seem[to have no fear. I expect you will get the news, if we 1 get into battle, before this reaches you, so if anything happens to me you will know that I have done my duty. I have not a bit of fear, I am going into it with a feeling of pleasure. We, Zealanders,, have been praised and received well everywhere, so we must keep the respect and good favours by doing 6ur best—and I do not think it will be otherwise. I doubt whether we will be put right in the middle of the fight; I think our duties will be to scout on the flanks of the British, and do any work that requires to be done quickly. It Will be hard work and, dangerous, but I will glory in doing it. We have, left De Aar, and will soon be at our destination. Last night we slept with our arms on, for fear of a,n attack by the Boers on the train.”