NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 645, 9 May 1900, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND.

(by TELEGKAfH—PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Night. The Government has ordered to he printed, for general information, extracts and reports regarding the conduct and services of the New Zealand contingents in South Africa. Colonel Fenton, the commander of the New Zealand forces, says that the reports received from the seat of war are satisfactory, and deserve to be made public. The Telegraph Department states that in connection with messages to numbers of New Zealand contingents in Africa the following particulars must be observed : —First : Benders of messages must obtain from the Defence authorities the addressee’s number. Second : The ad dress must consist of at least three words, viz., number, surname, and regiment. Third ; Each message must contain a signature of at least two words, viz,, the sender’s surname and station from.

The Premier has received the following cable from Major Francis iu charge of the fourth New Zealand contingent on hoard the Mouowai, dated Beira 7th. : —“ All quite well. We remain here another week and then go to Marendallas near Salisbury.” The Agent-General wires on the 7th : ‘'Lord Roberts reports state that the New Zealand Mounted Rifles dis'inguished themselves in the turning movement in cro sing the Vet River. Wellington, This Day. Telegraphing on April 24th to Lord Raufurly, Lord Roberts asked what number of commissions in ths Imperial Army he could offer members of the New Zealand Contingents now serving iu South Africa and for what branches of the service. The Government have decided to place unreservedly twenty of the commissions at the disposal of Lord Roberts, but on the distinct understanding that such shall be spread over the whole of the New Zealand Contingents. The disposal of the remaining 10 commissions will he considered later on by the Government. News has been received of the arrival of the troopships Waimate and Maori at Beira, all well. Late letters from Bloemfontein show that some of our Waikato warriors hare been in tight places. When tie march for the relief of Kimberley left the Orange River, 12 of the New Zealand contingent were left behind to Sttcnd to sick horses and wait for remounts. These soon arrived with a Regiment of Mounted Rifles, to whom the New Zealanders were appointed riding masters and scouts, and they at once started for the front with a large convoy. At the Reil River the ccnvoy consisted of about GOO waggons. At II o’clock is the morning the greater portion started forward, hut 200 waggons, with about HOO oxen, were left behind to start at 7 o’clock. Just as they were about to start the Boers con m me! to fire on them, /50 men, with two guns. The escort, of which the New Zealanders formed a small part, were only 250 rifles. The bullocks were driven under the river bank and this unequal tight continued the whole day. How many Boers were shot the letters do not say, hut only one of the escort was shot and twelve wounded. This show's two things—that the Boers are rank cowards and very poor shots when positions are even. At 12 that night orders came to abandon the waggons and oxen, as it was of more importance to surround Cronje. This was done, aud the escort left the waggons and joined the main body, fighting daily until Cronje surrender!. The 12 men who had been left behind at the Orange River rejoined their comrades at Bloemfoutciu. 1