PARTICULARS OF THE MARCH TO KIMBERLEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 43, 22 February 1900, Page 2

PARTICULARS OF THE MARCH TO KIMBERLEY.

NEW SOUTH WALES TROOPS IN A TIGHT PLACE. ORONJE SAID TO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CAPIIULATE. (Received 22,1.30 a.m.) London, February 21. During the march to lvimberley the enemy were found entrenched at the Modder River.

A shrapnel fire from the Horse Artillery expelled the Boers from their laager, which was captured. During the engagement a detachment of the New South Wales troops, in reconnoitring a hill occupied by the Boers, narrowly escaped being captured.

Next morning, while a six-inch gun was being fired over the camp, a fragment of a shell woundedjSeoood-Lieut. Heron, of the New South Wales Lancers.

Later information is to the effect that the colonials escaped scatheless after fv long and successful rifle duel, and reached Kimberley, where they rested for the night. Amongstv the wounded of the Kimberley column were Lieut. Brassey, of the 9th Lancers, and Captain Luson, of the 16 th Lancers. The latter is a Queenslander.

f General Oronje, with 5000 troops and heavy guns, after evacuating Magersfontein, trekked across the British front to Klip Drift, where a | rearguard action was fought. His force then travelled twenty miles eastward. There are persistent reports that ' Oronje has been intercepted and summoped to capitulate, j Firmaa, of the Australian Horse, rescued an officer belonging to the 16th Lancers. Lieut. Edwards, of the New South Wales medical corps, with an ambulance detachment drawn by the Australian Horse, kept pace with the advancing column, collecting many woundeu. The Brigadier commanding complimented Lieut. Edwards' company upon being the first ambulance to cross the Modder River.