BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 3 April 1902, Page 3

BOER WAR.

SEVERAL ITEMS. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, April 1, Further details of the drive show that what appeared to be a column i moving into line proved to be Lieben-; berg's khaki clad commaado. It was allowed to escape because the pursuit would have widened the loophole. The British attacked another khaki clad body passing in front, but eee Boei commander shouted, •« We ire BritisL , proceeding to our alloted place," it was allowed to pass. The Censor early in February stopped the following message" Doran's Yeomanry fought Theron and others in the Calvinia district. The enemy were fourfold, the British who abandoned the convoy and shifted their guns during the night. The Boers at dawn directed their fire upon the position previously occupied by the guns. Later they approached under cover and tried to overthrow the British guas, which severely punished the enemy's support. The Boers were feur hours removing their dead and wounded. They then withdrew." Adelaide, April 2. The Commonwealth Contingent sailed in the Templemore, KITCHENER'S WEEKLY REPORT. Beeeived 2.1116 p.m. London, April 2. Lord Kitchener's weekly report states that 23 Boers were killed, three wounded, 201 taken prisoners, and 49 surrendered, while 217 rifles and 15,500 rounds of ammunition were captured. The flooded rivers impede operations in north-cut Orange ColoDy. The commandos in the Cape midland districts an being given no rest. The area in the west held by Boers has been much reduced. Beyerts surrouMeil a poet at 8? e'okeo, but Colonel Cofeu Bruuiu relieved it.

BEBIOUB MILITARY TRAIN ACCIDENT. UGHTY-FOUR CASUALTIES. Received 3, 0.30 a.m. Loudon, April 2. In a railway accident to a military train at Barberton on the '3oth March, 39 men were killed and 45 injured. The second battalion Hampshire® had 20 killed and 11 injured; fourth Hampshire five killel and two injured ; volunteer company Hampsbires eight killed and 27 injured. The fourth East Surreys, fifth Leinsters, and second East Kent Regiments als° suffered. BTKYN AMD DELAREY TOGETHER. BOERS RESORTING TO 00N80RIPTI0N. THE BUSH VSLDT CARBINEERS AGAIN, |Reoeived 3,0.30 a.m London, April 2. It is reported in Pretoria that Mr Steyn is with General Delarey. Weasels, interviewed in Paris, implied that the Boers are willing to abandon the Rand if a'lowed to retain the rest of the country with the management of internal affiira. One hundred and fifty Boer trekkers in Namaqualand have been compelled to submit to conscription. The Daily Express states that Lieutenant Whitton, who received a life sentence for shooting Boers, told passengers on the Canada that Boers murdered several wounded officers belonging to th« Bush Yeldt Carbineers. A senior officer ordered the Australians to shoot all they could lay hands on. This was done, despite the fact that the Boers, who were dressad in khaki, displayed a white flag and held up their hands.

PAINFUL BENSATIONAT SYDNEYDRUNKENNESS AND DESERTION IN THE FEDEKAL CONTINGENT. COMMANDING OFFICER SUSPENDED. BKVE3E STBIOTUREB BY GENERAL HUTTON. Received 2, lO.lSp.m. Sydnky, April 2. A sensational development has occurred in connection with the departure of the third battalion of the Commonwealth Contingent. The men yesterday hoarded the troopship Manhattan, anchored down the harbour. Prior to her departure to- day rumours were afloat that numbers had deserted, and that many others had managed to get *ashore during tbe night. Major-General Hutton and a Ministerial party vititcd the Manhattan this afternoon to bid farewell to tbe contingent The men were drawn up on deck, and in not a few cases displayed

such unsteadiness as caused General Hutton to severely reprimand them, while others were being helped aboard in a state of intoxication. Addressing the contingent, the Commandant 8» id he was not satisfied with what he had heard. He then te d a very severe lesson on the necessity for discipline. Something bad happened, he said, which heartily regretted, and which Australia would he ashamed of. He und'rs ood that some of the man, after receiving their pay, deserted. For this tbey were liable to c"urt-martial, and he hoped they would be ought nnd made an example of. In all his experiences of Australian so'diars in South Africa he bad r.evrr had a single rase for court-martial, nor any serious lapee of discipline in the force of 6000 men. He trusted the officers and men would realise their grave resporsibility to maintain tbe high mme frr gallantry and good order and discipline in the field, which had the proud attribute of Australian troop?. Referring to the shooting of Australian officers, General Hut* on f»id we in Australia heard the defence . ocly ; but hp k> ew »Dd regretted to say that although not officially informed, he believfd there was a truer

version of the tale, and it would be a fad or.e when published. He concluded, " I wish you cordial good lucfc, but for goodness' sake remember ycu fak>) with you the honour and renown already won by Australians, and for God's sake don't; tarnish it." Immediately after this speech a sensation was caused by the announcement that Colonel Wallack, officer commanding the bittalion, had been relieved of the command. Major Clark, a;cond in command, was ordered to take command till the transport reached Adelaide, where she would take en a mew commanding officer. J The Manhatta wailed this afiMUQan.

J TKNTH CONTINGENT ! Wanganui, April 2. Ovf) 200 hpplications have been received, including several returned contingenters for the Wanganui quota of 38. The medicnl examination was ficished, and th.j riding test taken this afternoon, Later. The selection of thirty-eight men to I form Wanganui's section of the Tenth I Contingent was made to-day. In- | eluded in the section are three returned ttoopers. There were over 200 applications. The men leave for Trentham on Saturday. Palmbbsion Nobth, April 2. The examination of applicants is sull proceeding. Twenty-two applicants are approved so far, and 15 more passed the riding test to-day, leaving 15 still required. There are plenty of applicants by letter, but the men do not seem to think it necessary to apply personally, NORTH TAKANAKI QUOTA OF 22 MEN. The following were selected on Wednesday: G. A. Paul, late Sergeant Fifth Contingent, New Plymouth. W. Allen, late Trooper Fourth Contingent, New Plymouth. Private T. H. DickeDSon» Stratford Mounted Rifle?* Midhirst. Private Harkness, Stratford Mounted Rifle. o , Midhirst. Private W. fcenney, Opunake Mounted Rifles, Opunake. Private R. B. Gooding, Stratford Rifles, Stratford, Private R. Mitchell, Taranaki Guards, New Plymouth. Private W. Walley, Waifara Rifles, Ingle wood. Private J. E. Nicholson, Kaiapoi Rifles, 'i'okoi Private W. Luxton, Waitara Rifles, Waitara. Private D. Campbell, Temuka Rifles, Toko. Mr L. Ford, New Plymouth, Mr F. ChefiSngs, Bell Block. Mr A. Knight, New Plymouth. Mr E. 0. Mills, Midhirst, Mr W. Burdctt, New Plymouth. Mr L. Redmond, Inglewood. Mr H. McKeown, Midhirst. Mr A. H. Blyde, Rahotu. Mr J. Baxter, Inglewood. Mr R. Lawry, Inglewood. Mr R. Bruce, New Plymouth. Thn authorities telegraphed to the local Recruiting Board for two extra men *o be selected, and this was done, making the New Plymouth quota 22. The selfc 'ed men leave for Trent* bam by the mail train to-morrow (Friday) morning.