IN NEW ZEALAND'S CAUSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3190, 15 May 1909, Page 3

IN NEW ZEALAND'S CAUSE.

REMINISCENCES OF THE SIXTH KEGIMENT ON TREK.

(By Capt. F. A. Wood, in "The Sixth Contingent Magazine.")

Through all its silence of the past, the 6th N.Z. M.K. can fairly start to recall its solid, silent work, under perhaps, the most trying circunistances experienced by any of its kind. Personally I can look back with pride on their noble efforts throughout to sink their own convictions in the interest of the Dominion to which they owed their birth. As instance the Utrecht incident, where the weather was most unfavourable and the clothing scanty, aye, some indeed had only underpants shewing were trousers might have been. Yet this ever deterred our worthy band from "on saddles" and off after the wily foe once more. It can never be said that Mew Zealanders werd ever tire'd and found wanting, and so now, let us encourage those who have to follow on, to even better endeavours. Whatever might have induced men to go to the front, there is one thing perfectly clear in my mind, and that is. that when in the field of operations, Empire and Dominion were ever foremost. I should like here to point out that the Sixth, according to official records, trekked 4,110 miles during its time in the field, or an average of 14 miles every day of the year. , One litttle outing I should like to relate the capure of Stofel Botha, the raider who continually annoyed and robbed the garrison at Kestrils Nek. It was about 2 o'clock one afternoon that a party of New Zealanders under Lieut. Hutton and self, and a 100 Q. 1.8.'5, the whole being under command of Capt. Doyle, left Zuiker Hock, or C'post. for the above Nek. Arriving there at 5.30 p.m. Doyle, Hut'.on, and I, scanned the field over which we were to operate during the night, viz., Wai-hoek. Plans were drawn as to the different positions each detached party, was to occupy in the event of meeting any strong opposition, and as to how the objective should be gained.

Feed and tea being over a rest was ordered till 9 p.m., and at this hour we moved out for Botha's farm each riding with stripped saddles and 150 rounds The Q.1.8.'s found and flank guards My troops were detailed to take the rearguard. The country proved to be of a very different nature to what it looked from the Nek, and necessitated our dismounting andjsading up and down precipitious heights, one in particular being so bad that touch was lost in the darkness, owing chiefly to Doyle's misrepresentations. When he saw the obstacles to be encountered, he, in person, rode back to tell me he would halt until I should send forward that the whole of the rearguard was up the hill. (Had he said nothing, connecting links would have been detailed to keep in touch with the main body). Behold my consternation on being; informed by the returned messenger, that the man body was nowhere to be found. I was fortunately possessed of Sergt. Harris and Corp. McKay, both of whom I sent on different routes to examine spruits and marshes for tracts of Doyle. None could be found so we commandeered and old Kaffir from a Kraal close by to lead us to Boiha's farmhousu (whether Doyle had made for the house or some other portion of the 2,000 morgan we were at a loss to , know). Surrounding the house from all sides, it being than 1.80 a.m., so as to allow no one to communicate our presence to the Boers, and there being no trace of Doyie, I decided to form four posts in close vicinity to the nouse, and await dawn. Having completed the cordon I went to the homestegd to get information and picked out one of the most enthusiastic, Kaffir servants who said he could show us were Stofel Botha bivouaced. I was just making to my nearest post when five men (one on the proverbial grey) rode at me, challajiging, "Hands up! we've got you!" Slowly I was making my pony passage to a stonewall near by; where, once behind, I could get to the post in safety. I was too late, they were all round me, and I could hear the bol of a rifle work. I said, "its all right, come on." They were foiled, and so was I, it was the Q. 1.8.'5. How nearly was our objective missed, for if they had fired, my post was only 50 yards off, and they, would have replied, waking the slumberers, and we shculd have been the hunter hunted. Well, we had good information, and had found Doyle, an-J out of eight captures N. Z. got five, including Stofel. The next thing was to get away with them. On our journey back we came upon another house, and making a search, found that one man was somewhere in the house, for his saddle, rifle, and bandoliers were piled in the kitchan. He wa3 hauled from under the bed, from where he had had two hours' sleep. He proved to be Upperman's Remount officer. Therefore we got our first intimation this great fighting commando of 300 burghers was at hand. Hurrying our captives along we got well on the journey at daybreak, when we were at once spotted, and had a lively following. New Zealanders were rearguard and the enemy's first fusilade gave us our only casualty, viz., Sergeant Harris, hit in the thigh. It was necessary that he should stick to his saddle [as had he fallen they would have known the range. Although suffering terrible pain, Harris hung out manfully, and, after about an hour's solid going, we came under the covering fire of the garrison's naval 12 pounder. All arrived safely at the Nek, with the exception or one man captured, having been sent by me with a message to Doyle, who indiscreetly sent him back instead of detaining him. It was whilst returning that the Boers rushed him and took him under our eyes. Imagine the relief the capture of Stofel gave the garrison. We were feted on our return. But our worst part was to come, as we had to run the gauntlet over the same ground, and thence to Elandsberg the following night at which place our orders were to be at dawn. Seeing every likelihood of a warm reception, each man carried 250 rounds. Fortunately all went well though New Zealandeis in the advance this time had some great difficulty in getting the Kaffir to go ahead. He knew Opperman's mcomand was at hand. At dawn we came upon a lot of horses knee haltered at a farm-

house, these being some of our cap hired remount officers' collection and our nigger got quite excited yelling, "the Boeren bass." We moved new at a gallop over the drift where some thirty Boers were camped in the open between us and the berg. A little earlier and w would have had a great capture, but they were roused, and challenged us for the hill, but under a heavy fusi lade we took it from them. As there was numerous horsemen in the vicinity of our position we had to be satisfied with holding what we had, and could not launch an attack. About half an hour later General Plumer's force was to be seen coming on them from two directions, but the Boers had a wide field and made good their escape On this day also a troop of "D," under Jimmy Mitchell, were charged by the Boers two or three times, but they gave too good an account of themselves for Joey's liking, and backed out taking a few casualties with them.