TROUBLE IN INDIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 243, 3 February 1898, Page 2

TROUBLE IN INDIA.

HEAVY BRITISH LOSSES. COLUMN ENTRAPPED. London, January 31. General Westmacott has reported to headquarters from the Indian frontier that tho Namitin column became entangled in a gorge at Sbinkamar, and was thereupon attacked by tribesmen. During the conflict Lieut.-Colonel J. Huughton and Commandant A. H. Tuiing, officiating wing officers of the 36th Bengal Infantry, were killod. Lieutenants E. St. Goorgo Hughes, Thomas P. Dowulie and Malcolm R. Walker, of the Yorkshiro Light Infantry, together with eight men of the regiment, were also killed. Seventeen non-commissioned officers und men are reported missing. The column was operating to stop the grazing of Tribesmen's cattle at Kijuria, and attempted to prevent the retreat of the Afridis in tho direction of Bara. Reuter's correspondent gives further details of the disaster to General Wcstmaco'.t's Nnmain column. While the troops were dislodging the sharpshooters from the caves tho Sikhs somehow withdrew from the ridge which formed a commanding position. Tho Tribesmen immediately occupied tho ridge, which they retaiued, involving heavy losses on the British rear-guard, which was severely harassed during tho retreat. The Yorkshire Light Infantry lost fifteen killed, while twelve are missing and thirty-one wounded. , The enemy charged within thirty yards of the retiring troops. Major C. 11. Des Voeux, the wing commander of the o(3th Bengal Infantry, who in September last made such a gallant defence for Gulistan, succeeds Lieut.-Colonel Haughton in command of the Bengal Infantry.