BRITON AND BOER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2400, 15 January 1909, Page 6

BRITON AND BOER.

A SPIRIT OP FELLOWSHIP

One feature of the South African Convention is worthy of note—the good fellowship which exists between Briton and Boer (says the Durban correspondent of the “Ball Mall Gazette”). In fact, all members of the convention admit that the present gathering has done much to wipe away the distrust and racial spirit which have hitherto existed amongst our legislators. It was my good fortune to form one of the party of delegates and their staffs which set out from the Rand by a special train on October 9th. At Ladysmith wo had General Botha acting as cicerone to a party composed of comrades and erstwhile foes. Our next halt was the little station of Colenso. where Buffer made his ill-fated onslaught on the Boer lines. General Botha described the battle from his point of view. The night before the battle of Coleneo one of the Boer army deserted in fact,, a blessing in disguise to the British lines under cover of the white flag. He had been a trusted member of Botha’s staff, and he, knew the plan of battle and the disposition of the Boer artillery. Needless to relate he betray-

' his general’s plans to the enemy. The Boer guns were at Fort 'Wylie when the- traitor left. As was only to be expected from a born tactitian, the Boer plans wore changed and Fort Wylie was left dip possession of two men only. As soon as the British fire opened it was evident that tbey believed the enemy’s guns were at Fort Wylie, as a heavy fusillade was directed against that position. Then came the advance of Colonel Long, which, according to General Botha, was, in fact, a blessing in disguise to the British forces. It- appeared that Botha, when Colonel Long moved up, at once jumped to the conclusion that the guns were ,being pushed forward in support of a big concerted move on the centre, and 110 gavo orders to bring in a big foreo of riflemen from both