H.—6a

3

Where all are working well it would be invidious to name any in particular. Captain Davies and Captain Madocks are working splendidly. All the lieutenants have had patrol and party commands, and carried out their duties well. The non-commissioned officers do good work, and altogether the colony should be well pleased. Be the above engagement at Jasfontein three Boer ambulances were observed to come down from their position to the farm, so they must have suffered considerably. The enemy's position has now been well determined. Arundel, 22nd December, 1899. We have great trouble with the saddles, the D's continually drawing out, and many articles are lost thereby. It seems necessary for our New Zealand Defence Department to adopt the forms used by the Imperial service. At first it was most bewildering, and caused an immense amount of work, our not being acquainted with them. Captain Ward is engaged on the staff as a sort of colonial staff officer for information, and greatly assists. The horses are not doing so well as they should; they do not take kindly to the forage, and green forage is out of the question; but as we are likely to rest for some days they will probably pick up. There are not so many sore backs as might be expected. We have now 230 horses, having lost twelve en route by sea and nine on land; four had to be shot by order of V.D. officer (lung trouble) ; one shot in action, Jasfontein ; one lost in a small runaway (other companies lost more) ; the rest died from various causes, one from eating tulip-grass while out on cossack post. The health of the men is good, an average of about five being in field hospital for a few days at a time, diarrhoea, strains, and minor complaints being the cause. The boots are not good; many pairs are already worn out in the soles, although we have just been one month ashore. The men are now accustomed to the field rations allowed, the cooks having picked up the method of making the most of them; the complaints of the first week ashore as to shortness or want of food have disappeared. There happens to be plenty fresh mutton, as the New Zealand patrols have brought in several mobs taken from the enemy's position, and to-day also brought in fourteen horses. Aeundel, 23ed December, 1899. We are still resting, and, judging from appearances, will be here for some time to come yet. Even these three days' rest have improved our horses. It is a great pity the enemy will not come and attack us ; they get every chance, but will not take it. The stony kopjes are terrible affairs to tackle, and the plains to cross to reach them offer no cover at all. The moment any party comes within gun-range they get shelled; and to come within rifle-fire draws volley upon volley. Please tell the Treasury people the New Zealand money is in the Standard Bank, Cape Town, ' I sent last mail the abstract and statement. There has been no draw on the New Zealand, moneys since, as I think the Imperial rate will suffice for the men while on the field. Aeundel, 23rd December, 1899. A point has just arisen about our hats. I will probably have to requisition for helmets. Several cases have occurred where colonial troops with hats have been fired upon by our troops in mistake. Arundel, 29th December, 1899. Since my last report (in which mention was made of the reconnaissance at Jasfontein, and with which I enclosed an eye-sketch) very little has been done; a much needed rest has been enjoyed, especially for the horses. This has enabled me to complete a great deal of necessary returns and book-work, exercise and drill of transport, &c. Of course, our regular turn has been taken on outpost and patrolling, both by night and day. The Contingent are getting old hands, and turn out to what comes along. You will also be glad to know they have earned a good name for punctuality, no matter at what hour they are required. To-day was of a most severe description; a heavy thunderstorm, with the heaviest hail I have ever seen, fell and completely swamped the camp. Many horses stampeded. The Contingent stood well to their horses, and none got away. A greater part of the afternoon has been taken up with units collecting loose horses. Lieutenant A. C. Neave, who sat for examinations at Christchurch, has been ordered to join the Ist Battalion Yorkshires at Cape Town, and left to-day. As we are really short of officers I recommended Sergeant J. Hughes, who already holds a commission in New Zealand, Napier, to be appointed to fill the place. The G.O.C. here approves, and states we are lucky in having a commissioned officer available, so I have to-day put Mr. Hughes in orders as a subaltern to No. 2 Company. The health of the men is good, considering everything. By cable lam informed that another Contingent leaves on loth January. Hope they are mounted. One hears a great deal in New Zealand about crack shots wanted for this. Now, sir, you cannot get a sight of the enemy to aim at. The rocky kopjes are just perfect cover, and its only the guns bursting and the mounted men threatening their flanks or rear that stirs them out, and then they just travel like deer to the next. Of course, good shooting is necessary ; but I mean that Infantry do not get the chance to aim at the Boers, as is the general opinion. The latter never show themselves, and never attack unless they get you trapped, or have greater numbers than you have. Plenty guns, and lyddite if possible, with Mounted Infantry and Cavalry, are necessary to move them out. The officers and non-commissioned officers have now the work quite at their finger-ends, and it must be satisfactory to you, as it is to me, to know that while other colonial Contingents here have committed several serious errors in regard to duties, such as not being to time, and mistaking routes, this Contingent has so far always been ready.