BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 64, 8 March 1902, Page 3

BOER WAR.

GENERAL ITKMB. PBB PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, March 6. At midnight on February 23rd, the Boers rushed with a great mass of stock on a position held by New Zealanders, overwhelming the pickets. The New Zealanders made a splendid defence, bat were caught in the flank, and unable to use their full strength. They were compelled to shift to avoid the furious fire of other pickets of New Zealanders. They warned Captain Gas's New South Wal«* troops, who altered their formatio .. The in the van pushfd north with i eir wounded. The fight lasted an hour and a-half. The colonials used seventeen boxps of ammunition. Seventy dead horses were fonnd in front of Captain Oox's position. Field Cornet Jan Bester and twelve Others have been raptured in the Orange Colnny. The Stmdard states that Steyn and Da Wet are tonfc ring with Botha in in the Utrecht district. Since the beginning of the war the British losses have been 489 officers and 4956 men billed, 1752 officers and 20,096 men wunded, 304 officers and 13,030 men died of disease. Dsattas from all causes have totalled nearly 31,000. The following War Office correction is made: —Lytton Ditely, * ( New Zealaoder, was dangerously wounded, not killed. Washington, March 6. President Roosevelt received Messrs "Weasels and Wolmarans as private citizens. He declared that America could not and wnnld not interfere in the war. h T)i Wet escaped in the confusion when the oxen, rushed the New Zealanders 1 line at B ithaburg. Lord Kitchener's line during the drive extended 120 miles over terribly broken country. The transport of the guns was tremendously difficult, especially on the Natal border. Lieutenant-General Sir C. E. Knox baa succeeded General l'ueker in command of tile Bloemfontein district. Stonky, March 6. With reference to the cable as to the Langton Grange horees, which were selected by the Imperial remount officer, who dechrod they were a splendid lot, shipped in November 1899, experience afterwards proved this class was to heavy for the work required in South Africa. Hardships of the campaign. an important capture. Received 8,1.56 a.m. London, March 7. Daring the utte sweep towards Natal the British guns had to be lowered over precipices One column ero'sins the mountains was nbove the cloudand without food for three days. The capture of Commandant Truther with 500 men is regarded as most important, as he is a great leader. Wellington, March 7. The G-»« , «rame , 't i* adv>sed that S«»geaot W. Sheather of th* Six'h Contingent, Auckland, is r?apgerotsly ill of enteric at Wakkerstroom. Auckland, March 7. Today Mrs Caultun, wife of Lieut. S. C. Caul ton, who was seriuu lj wounded in the Sevjoth Contingent'' recent fight, raceivel the following cable message from her husband through the Premier:—" Hospital, Harrismib. Doing splendidly Considering the nature of wounds. Think nothing of the wound 3 considering the splendid results from the engagement." NINTH CONTINGENT. COLONEL PORTER COMMANDS. SEVENTH AND NINTIT CONTINGENT JfOKM ONE COLUMN. Chbistchukch, Msrch 7. It is said that the statements which were currant ss to commissions not i being granted in the Ninth Cootiogeot * were falacious. The roll of officers had been complete for some days, but owing to promotions, two vacane'es had been made in rack and filS, and several troopers had fallen out for various reasons, but their plaefs have been filled. It is now unders ood that Colonel Porter will be in charge of the Ninth Contingent in Suutli Africa, with 'h* rank of Brigadier, and that the Seventh and Ninth Contingent will be kept, as * one column, ** Majjr At>hot% late of the Fifth Con -tiagent, will take command of the North J»l*nd Battalion, and Major Baucbops, hte of the Fourth Contingent and now with the Seventh, will "command the South Ishnd Battalion. Confirmation of these arrangements is an the hands of Lord Kitchener. Auckland, March 8. Swgeant Newdiok, of the Thames, bas receiued a commission in the South Island battalion.