THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 304, 3 January 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

By [Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Jan. 1. The guns captured from Major Damant at Tafclkon, an I afterwards abandoned, were repaired half-au-hour after the Boers fled.

The Boers attacked Laing’s N c k and Botha Pass on the Natal frontier on Saturday, and were repulsed. The British loss was slight. When attacking Colonel Dartnell at Langberg, DeWet covered his daring charges by means of high-velocity guns aud pom-poms. There is anxiety lest theso and other guns captured by tho Boers may imperil the blockhouses. Concealed Boors shot Steero and Kerr, Intelligence Officers, dead during a parloy with pseudo-surrenderors at Warmbaths. The Q Battery brought to England four I ietoria Crosses and two Distinguished Service Orders.

The blockhouses at Standerton district frustrated Botha’s attempt to send reinforcements to DeWet.

Brussels, Jan. 2. newspaper Independence Beige tolls Kruger that if Great Britain grants the Boers independence she wilt lose all prestigo. Tho entire British nation will riso in protest at abandoning what has been gained at great sacrifice.

EXPLAINING TWEEFONTEIN. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, Jan. 2.. The Standard states that tho defence of Tweefontein was more stubborn and sustained than was at first apparent. Tho picquet on the crest wassoizod and killed. No shot was fired until the Boers, descending, stabbed the Yeomanry picquets with bayonets. A gallant rally was made. Colonel Williams, who was directing the defence, foil with fourteen wounds. The tide of the fight ebbed and flowed, but numbors told. The captured Yeomanry were stripped and released ten miles from tho fight.

DeWet, with 500 men, two guns and two pompoms, fought a rear-guard action with Major-General Elliott, in tho direction of Reitz. Tho commando aftorwards divided north-east of Lindley, frustrating pursuit.