1
     At the Railway Institute, Devonshire street, a complimentary smoke concert was tendered to Quarter-master-sergeant H. Hazlett, of the carriage shop of the Railway Department, who departed with the Army Medical Corps for service in South Africa, to Private Burnett Kiddle, of the same shop, and of the Mounted Infantry, and to Mr. Stephen James O'Grady, of the paint shop, and also of the Army Medical Corps. The attendance was very large, numbering over 400 persons. Mr. J. Harrison presided over the gathering, which was most enthusiastic. The chairman on behalf of the employees of the carriage department, presented Mr. Hazlett with a black marble clock, on which was inscribed, "Presented to Q.M.-sergeant Hazlett, A.M.C., by his fellow employees of the N.S.W. railway carriage shop, on the eve of his departure for active service in South Africa, 23/12/99." On rising to return thanks, the recipient was loudly applauded. He said he was pleased to be able to leave his fellow-employees in such a manner. The first half-hospital of the Army Medical Corps was doing splendid work at Mooder River, and if the second field-hospital did not also distinguish itself it would be for want of opportunity. They had good army drivers, who could ride straight, shoot straight, and drive anything they liked. He would say good-bye in case he did not return; but he hoped to come back all right, Mr. T. Richards, on behalf of the waggon shop employees, and Mr. R. Wall, on behalf of the employees of the paint department, then presented Messrs. Kiddle and O'Grady with a "smokers companion" each. Both recipients briefly returned thanks. An excellent programme of musicial items was gone through, and the contributors, who included Messrs. A. Taylor, R. Corben, E. Hay, J. Pardy, J. Gilmore, J. R. King, B. Purcell, A, Carruthers, J. Proudley, J. Merrett, F. McCrae, and S. Osborne, were loudly applauded. A song composed by Sergeant Dean, and entitled "Remember Majuba Hill, 1881," was rendered with great success by Mr. W. S. Short. Mr, E. Moody was an efficient accompanist. Messrs. King (treasurer) and S. Hilliard (aecretary) were untiring in their efforts, and it was chiefly to their endeavors that the gathering was so successful.

2
     Over 700 men employed in the railway service of the colony assembled in the Masonic-hall, Castlereagh-street, to say good-bye to their 26 companions who are going with the second contingent on active service in South Africa. The men belong to the Army Medical Corps and the Mounted Rifles. Six come from the tramway service, and 20 from the railway department.
     The proceedings, which took the form of a smoke concert and light refreshments, were suffused with the greatest enthusiasm, which found its expression not only in vociferous cheering and in the tinging of patriotic songs, but in the honoring of toasts and the displaying about the hall in a conspicuous way of mottoes such as "We Fear no Foe" and "Success to Our Troops."
     Mr. H. McLachlan, secretary to the Railway Commissioners, occupied the chair, and Messrs. H. Howe and J. Kneeshaw the vice-chairs respectively. Amongst the guests were Mr G. Anderson, M.P., and Mr. John Parry (outdoor superintendent).
     The Chairman, in the course of a short speech, said on behalf of the Railway Service he wished the members of of the contingent good-bye, and added that as the year had just commenced the Commissioners also desired to express their best wishes for the New Year to the employees of the service. The following toasts were proposed and honored with cheers:- "The Queen," and "The Contingent," and as the 26 men filed into the room they were loudly cheered.
     During the evening the chairman presented Private Wauhope (traffic department) and Mr. Jordan (locomotive department) with smoker's companions, which had been subscribed by the employees in the recipients' respective departments. Presentations were also made to Sergt.-major Waites and Privates Vaughan and Kedbrook.

     A large number of the tramway employees assembled in the Elite Hall, King street, City, on Monday evening, 15th instant, in order to present a testimonial and purse of sovereigns to Mr. A. Bates, one of the tramway conductors, who has volunteered to go to South Africa with the Mounted Rifles. The chair was taken by Mr. Kneeshaw, tramway superintendent, and on the platform were also Col. McKenzie, staff officer of the permanent forces, the Rev. H. C. Vinden, and Mr. G. Edwards, loco. foreman. The members of the Permanent Artillery String Band also mustered in force to give their friend a musical send off.
     The proceedings were opened by an overture by the band, after which Mr. Moore sang "There will be a hot time in the Transvaal"; Mr. Tierney also sang "Let me like a soldier fall," while Mr. Munro contributed "The death of Nelson."
     The chairman then said he claimed their indulgence for the real business of the evening. He felt sure that their comrade in arms who was going to South Africa would do his duty manfully. They were assembled to do honor to one who was going to represent his country and the Department. He would take away no white handkerchiefs with him, but no doubt would like to borrow some red flags. He was asked on behalf of Mr. Bates' comrades to present him with a small token of their esteem. He was still one of them, and was only on leave of absence. As far as he personally was concerned he looked upon him as a tramway conductor still. They all hoped that he would come back safe and sound and be one of their officers once more. The testimonial was one that could not be taken away with him, and if it were the fortune of war that he should give up his life it would be something for his family to look upon with pride as a memento from his fellow-workmen. He heartily wished him God speed and a safe return.
     The Rev. H. C. Vindon said Mr. Bates was going to the war at what he considered the call of his country. He considered it as a duty he owed to his sovereign and his wife and children. He had himself undertaken the charge of his children during his absence, and would endeavour to do his duty by them. He wished Mr. Bates a prosperous journey and a safe return, not as Private Bates, but as something higher.
     Mr. Edwards said it was pleasing to see how all the men were willing to give up their evening to do honor to their comrade. He wished Mr. Bates every success in his new sphere as a soldier, and hoped he would return to take up his position with them once more.
     Colonel McKenzie said he was pleased to be present with them, and to see the nice way in which they treated a comrade who was going to the war because he felt it was his duty to do so. He felt sure that Mr Bates would make a good soldier, because he had been educated in a department which knew the value of discipline, and when Mr. Bates got to South Africa he would find his duties less irksome because it would be but a continuance of the same discipline.
     Mr. Bates, in thanking his comrades for the testimonial and purse of sovereigns, said he felt too full to give utterance to what he felt. During his career in the department he had tried to do his duty to the Commissioners, and when in South Africa he would try to prove himself a soldier. If he were spared to return he thought he would be able to give a good account of his services, but if on the other hand he had to find a soldier's grave he would be perfectly satisfied. He would never be able to erase from his mind the reception he had received that night, and thanked them sincerely from his heart.
     The reminder of the evening was devoted to singing and recitations, among the artists being Messrs. Robinson, Rowan, Bastian, and other gentlemen from the tramway department, the patriotic element predominating, and the proceedings were brought to a close by the company singing "Auld Lang Syne."

The following letter received by the Tramway Traffic Superintendent, Mr. J. Kneeshaw, from Private A. Bates, of the New South Wales Tramway Service, now at the front in South Africa, will be read with interest by our members:-

Dear Sir,
     “I take the liberty of pencilling you a few lines to let you know that our Company was under fire for the first time on Tuesday, 7th March, for six hours, and we were successful in flanking about 2000 Boers with only a loss of three horses and six wounded, including Lieut. Holborrow, who was shot through the fleshy part of the shoulder. Our next brush with the enemy was on last Saturday and we succeeded in driving them towards Bloemfontein, where we expect to have a great go in. In this last brush we had one of our chaps in 'A' Company shot through the lungs and buried him a few hours later. Many of our horses were badly hit, but very few of our men wounded. Colonel McCarthy, of Kitchener's Light Horse, was shot through the heart, not more than 25 yards from me, and my next door neighbour had his horse's leg shattered with a shell just as we received the order to dismount.
     "It is a very pretty sight in the grey dawn of the morning to watch the army for the fray being drawn up on the lines of attack, and the commands are passed along scarcely above speaking tone. One never feels much (at least I did not) when going into battle. You hear, for at least half-an-hour, the big naval guns firing from the surrounding kopjes, and then we ride through a continual buzz of bullets before we are dismounted, so when one gets on terra firma to take up his position you think no more of it than aiming at a target at Randwick. Of course, you feel and think when one sees his comrade or chum fall wounded when your turn is going to come. The bullets fall fast and furious round in front and at your side, raising the dust and making a hiss or buzz as it buries itself.
     "We have had some very hard riding since the 1st March and our horses are in bad condition, only four handfuls of wheat daily, and we fare very little better; we have three oatmeal biscuits and water per day. When opportunity offers we get tea or coffee with half-a-pound of corned junk. A bath is a luxury which we do not get until we have to ford a river.
     "The country from Capetown is very mountainous and barren up as far as De Aar. After that we find better country as we advance, and where we are at present one could not wish for better soil, but it is the rainy season or the early spring here. There is no timber in the country at all; little salt bush about three or four feet in height is all that can be procured for firing purposes. The railway gauge is narrower here than in New South Wales, but the engines are of the same stamp as our Express, and they travel pretty fast. They have an electric tramway in Capetown which runs about seven miles one way and three another. They are a success, similar to ours, only a double-deck car.
     "I could write you, sir, many interesting items only I have not the convenience or time. I write this and others from my saddle seat in dirt and dust. We do not use tents at this game, and it may be days before one has an opportunity of posting it.
     "W. Reardon is with us in the Ambulance; Andrews and I are in the same Company; Kissell we left at Capetown; all doing well up to date. We are attached to Lord Roberts, over 26,000 strong, and our immediate companies are Lord Kitchener's Light Horse, 12 Battery Field Artillery, 6th Dragoon Guards, and the City of London Imperial Volunteers.
     "I cannot find time to write longer, and as I promised to drop you a line on leaving I may do so before the next brush, which will be about Saturday next. I do not think we will have very much more fighting to do now; the Boers are running away from us after a go of three or fours hours duration.
     "I did intend bringing you a bursted shell as a curio, but, so far, I have not been successful, as the officers will not allow us to carry one ounce more than we are forced to.
     "None of our boys have won the V.C. yet and I do not think there is much chance left us now.
     "I will give you an idea of what a British soldier did at the camp last Monday. He put two packets of cigarettes up to auction and they brought 34 shillings; a box of matches sells at 1 shilling and tobacco at 2 shillings a plug.
     "Trusting you are well, and I hope to be enabled to write a descriptive letter to the 'Boys' at a later period when I have a better opportunity. I am out of pencil and paper; the bit of pencil I have has been all round the Company and 'tis not much longer than your thumb nail, and we cannot buy or borrow one.

     On Tuesday 22nd May the day before the Public Holiday that had been proclaimed by the Government to celebrate the Relief of Mafeking, the Loco. Shops at Eveleigh here and there were decorated with flags, banners and Union Jacks, which had been purchased by the men and put up during the meal hour amid great cheering. From several heights of vantage such as machines, boilers, and steam hammers, the flags and banners of our country were also to be seen swinging to and fro by the puffs of wind entering through the open doors.
     As the colored fabrics representing art as well as nationally looked down upon busy labor, the whirl of swift machinery and heavy forgings of steam hammers, they seemed to assert their silent majesty with impressive and commanding grandeur, especially as at this time they herald and emblazon the steady advance of a mighty empire, which appears to be destined, by universal consent, to work outward and onward for good, the channels which lead to peace, industry, freedom and progress.
     To further commemorate the occasion, it was resolved to meet at 4.30 p.m. in a central spot at one of the Loco. Shops for the purpose of delivering a few short patriotic speeches, and to sing a few patriotic songs including the National Anthem. The workmen and lads responded splendidly, fully 800 being present who assembled in the wide track of the loco. traverser.
     Mr. W. J. Harris was voted to take the chair which happened to be in the large frame of a loco. engine raised on blocks about eight feet from the floor. It formed a platform as well upon which stood a number of employees. To add to the effect of the gathering two large flags were nailed on to improvised saplings, the larger one, the Union Jack being firmly held and proudly poised over the heads of all those in the immediate vicinity of the Chairman by A, Sargeant, an old servant.
     Everyone was in good humor and all ready to cheer at any sentiment expressed in honor of the Hero of the Hour, viz., Baden-Powell.
     The weather was by no means favorable, heavy clouds dimmed the afternoon's sunlight, while rain fell in torrents; but this did not affect the lightness of heart and the brightness of eye as well as the exuberance of feature manifest in the large number of men who graced the meeting.
     Mr. Harris, in taking the chair, stated he had pleasure in accepting the honor to preside, and was sure they all were equally pleased to be present upon such a memorable occasion, an occasion which was not only rousing the thoughts and action of the British Empire, but also admiration in the minds of foreigners. (Cheers.) They had gathered there for the single purpose of showing their appreciation of those thoughts and actions, and to unite their feelings with the joys and pleasures of every other member of the British Empire. (Cheers) Patriotism had existed as long as the race, and the sentiment to Honor the Brave had co-existed alongside of that patriotism since the starting point of history. They had come there to do justice to that patriotism and to do honor to the brave - the brave man - Baden-Powell (deafening cheers), that brave man who for seven months in a small village upon the lonely plain in a far off dark man's land; who by his patience, perseverance, skill and genius, in conjunction with his fellows - and he included Lady Sarah Wilson - (cheers) held out the enemy and finally triumphed for the honor of his country and patriotism of the Empire. (Cheers) The old flag still waved and there was not a piece of water nor a piece of land upon the surface of the planet worth naming where the prowess and valor of our sailors and soldiers had not been distinguished under the old flag and the Union Jack. (Cheers) The old flag had occasionally been trampled on by the enemy, a few times it has been stolen but another had always been ready to plant in front of the "battle and breeze." (Cheers) They had seen the old flag at Gibraltar, at Acre, and at Malta, in front of the walls of Badajos and Salamance, at Candahar, and at Khartoum, at Omdurman, and at Mafeking. (Loud Cheers) It was only fit and proper that they, as employees of the railway service, should meet to mingle their respectful feelings with others for the conspicuous doings and triumphs of the representatives of the Empire, especially when they considered the immense amount of chivalry displayed throughout the length and breadth of the country. (Cheers) The Chairman mentioned that Mr. H. B. Howe, Works Manager, had expressed his regret at not being able to attend adding that his heart was with the object of the meeting.
     After the Chairman's remarks, it was decided to keep up the warmth of the meeting by singing patriotic songs, the following contributing:-"Soldiers of the Queen," Mr. W. Clark; "Sons of Australia," Mr. W. Davidson; "Rule Britannia," the company; "Sons of the Sea," Mr. J. F. Smith; "Red, White, and Blue," Mr. T. Parker.
     Cheers were called by the Chairman for the Queen, for Baden-Powell, for the Union Jack, and for the Railway Commissioners. The National Anthem, by the company, concluding a warm, loyal-hearted, and enthusiastic meeting.

     It is satisfactory to find that indications point to an early end of the struggle. The colonial volunteers have done remarkably well, winning encomiums from all with whom they have been brought in contact, both for their discipline and the skill with which they have met the difficulties of the positions in which they have been placed. The railway employees have a keen interest in the matter, on account of the large number of railway men who are at the front. An interesting letter was received last week by Mr Spurway, of the Secretary's Office, from his brother, who is serving with the Australian troops. Trooper Spurway, with others, was captured at Sanna's Post, and in describing the affair he gives the following very interesting account:-

     The following interesting letter has been addressed to Mr. Kneeshaw, Tramway Traffic Superintendent, from Private A. Bates, of the Tramway Department, at present serving in South Africa:-

Dear Sir,
     Since last I wrote you we have fought our way to Pretoria, imagining, on gaining that position, our fighting would end, but, strangely enough, we have had heavier fighting and more losses after leaving that capital. We spent five days and were ordered out to Diamond Hill, or Brunker's Spruitt to face General Botha and Co. This place is a champion fighting chain of kopjes, and I fancy the British shook hands with themselves in succeeding in driving the enemy out after two and a half days heavy fighting. Our loss included Lieutenants Drage and Harriot, and Sergeant-Major Liggins was shot through the lungs, but is struggling through his serious wounds. Our next orders were in pursuit of De Wet and Co., chasing and scrapping him through Irene, Hellenburg, Frankfort, Beitz, Bethliem, Verefort and Vaal River, up to within a few miles of this river, when we were ordered to proceed at once to Elang's river, and relieve Colonel Hore and his 500 New South Wales and Queensland First Contingent Bushmen, who were surrounded with Boers for nine days. This was a second Paardeburg affair; the place was a mere wreck, the Boers having sent nearly 500 shells into their trenches, killing the whole of their horses, bar one, nine men, seven Kaffirs killed and 70 casualties. It is marvellous how our men hung out so long, their shooting must have been very accurate to have saved them being taken prisoners. Colonel De Lisle, our Imperial officer, remarked to Captain Antill about the gallant defence they had made, and asked him if he was not proud of his countrymen. He simply said, "No, they have only done their duty." The place was wrecked, with waggons, flour, officers' champagne, men's rum, sugar, tea, biscuits and jam mashed up in a mangled heap, and horses and mules lying dead all over the trenches. We were behind hand, for the Boers departed in haste the day before, having, I suppose, had the tip that we 10,000 men were in pursuit.
     This country we have scoured since leaving Pretoria is nothing but high kopjes, running parallel for miles over the country, and affords the greatest safety for the enemy. De Wet is a very clever man. He tells our prisoners, who have since been released (not being able to feed them), that it will take the British years to capture him. Of course, this is just the same game as the Kelly gang gave the mounted police of N.S.W. and Victoria some years ago. De Wet has lost all his guns and most of his convoy. He says he does not need the former, having no ammunition, and the latter too much for his horses and mules to get along with in their present condition. He only allows his men to take the prisoners' horses, saddlery, great-coats and blankets, ammunition, rifles and bandoliers; any other articles, such as biscuits, clasp-knives, jewellery, or curios he makes his men purchase off the prisoners. The prisoners have to promise not to take up arms against him, and then are released. Of course, prisoners are the same as dead men, and I believe the British send all prisoners home when once they are released.
     This De Wet has a great many good shots, and they chiefly use the explosive bullet, as we have cause to regret, for Lieutenants Drage, Harriott, Bennet, Biddle, and Pallezzie were all killed by them, and Staff-Sergeant Nicholson had half his nose blown away by one of them.
     We have done good work since we landed in the country. We had four days at the Cape, and have been employed ever since as a flying column. Lord Roberts gave us a front position, and we have kept it, and while you see us there you know we are earning our "oats," if not the V.C. or other distinction. We have tried to advertise Australia to the round world, and the Boers, although they do not like us, speak well of our fighting, and that, to us, is better than being complimented now and again in orders by our own Generals. I shall not say more about ourselves, as some of our men have written some very tall stories about themselves home to the press, that will spoil many from relating an exciting incident which one occasionally figures in. As regards myself, I have not won a V.C. nor collared Oom Paul, but I shall not lose an opportunity if afforded one. I shall have to be content to bring you his head home on a coin. I can assure you that I have not once toed the carpet here, and on my return to your department I hope to be equally successful.

     We are ordered on to Pretoria to re-fit, but we are going to camp here a day or so before proceeding. I learn that no letters will be despatched before we reach Pretoria, so I will carry this on with me until we reach there. We are to camp five miles from the town, re-fit and get remounts, and perhaps go another three months' currycombing, or go to England or back to Australia. We hear all sorts of rumors, but are not sure of anything for five minutes. We receive an order to-night, and before "reveille" in the morning it is cancelled, and another command given. During the past two months, reveille has been at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., and 4,30 a.m., but chiefly at the two former hours. The First and Second Contingents are together, and are called the United Rifles. We are in the 2nd Cavalry Brigade under Generals Hamilton, Hutton, and Bidley. Colonel De Lisle is the Imperial Commanding Officer in Charge, and a real good man. He was shot through the right hand and up the left arm a few days back just before reaching Elang's River. He drives about with us in his Cape cart, and will not go into the Hospital.
     We are given to understand that we are to have 10 days' rest camp in Pretoria. We are in rags, and badly in want of our new clothes. I like soldiering; it is a very hard life in active service, but if I had my last 20 years over again, I should go for a commission and enlist for foreign service.
     Remember me to all the large family over which you preside, and say I am well, with kind wishes to all.
     With kind regards to you and your Staff Officers,

      It will be remembered that a considerable number of railway men served during the war in South Africa, many of them with the New South Wales Army Medical Corps. Among the latter was Mr. J. H. Mills, of the Interlocking Shops, whose interesting exhibit of war relics attracted considerable attention at the last annual meeting of the members of the Railway Institute. Mr. Mills served as quarter-master sergeant, and the following lines are based on entries in his diary, and it is hoped will prove interesting reading.
     On Monday, the 23rd October, 1899, Colonel W. D. C. Williams, P.M.O., New South Wales Military Forces, advised the government that a fifty-bed field hospital, complete in every detail, could be placed at the disposal of the Imperial government for service in South Africa; the government at once made the offer, which was accepted immediately by the home authorities. The Corps, fully equipped, embarked on the s.s. "Kent," on Saturday, the 28th, a fact that well illustrates the efficiency of its organisation. But Mr. Mills will speak for himself:-

     "We sighted the African coast at half-past three in the afternoon, on the 28th November, and arrived off Port Elizabeth early the following morning. The steamer was boarded by the pilot and shortly after by the health Officer, whose first words were to the effect that we were to proceed to Cape Town. The Port is really an open roadstead, and, although there is a wharf, large ships cannot go up to it, but have to discharge into lighters. The town, which was then garrisoned by the 1st Welsh, is built on the side of a hill, and presents a clean and pretty appearance, the railway runs down to the water's edge.
     "The residents had arranged for a hearty welcome, but owing to our not landing, the matter had to be abandoned. The mayor, aldermen, town clerk and principal citizens, however, came on board and welcomed the troops to South Africa. We left Port Elizabeth at 11 o'clock the same morning, and after a good run down the coast, reached Capetown on the morning of the 1st December, 1899. At about 4 o'clock the steamer fastened to the wharf, and arrangements were made for disembarking on the next day. The Imperial ships in the harbor accorded us a great reception, which put our men into the best of spirits. At five o'clock the following morning we commenced to unload the horses, which were in good condition; they were taken to Green Cape, where we were to camp alongside detachments of Imperial troops, who were left behind to guard the military stores. I am pleased to say that the best feeling prevailed between the Imperial and colonial troops whenever they were thrown together.
     "Capetown is a straggling place, containing many very old buildings, and two graveyards almost in the centre of the town, which is traversed by electric trams, the cars of which remind me very much of the Sydney "two deckers" of many years ago.
     "On Sunday, the 3rd December, we brought our wagons and carts to Green Point: they consisted of five ambulance wagons, six transport carts, two maltese carts, two water carts, and one small ration wagon. On the Monday the New South Wales Lancers, who had been our shipmates in the "Kent," were ordered to the front, our men entraining their horses. We fully expected to be sent to the front on the 6th, and therefore completed all our arrangements so as to be able to march at a moment's notice; but we were disappointed, as we did not receive orders to go forward until the 19th. On the 12th the Corps were inspected by Surgeon General Wilson, of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was astonished when he saw our ambulance wagons passing the saluting point in a style that would have done credit to the Royal Horse Artillery.
     "On receiving our marching orders on the 19th we drew four days rations; there was only the ordinary routine work to do, as everything had been so well arranged, that we only had to strike tents on the 20th and march to the railway station, where our whole equipment was loaded into the trucks by 10 o'clock, or four hours before the time allowed us for the work. It appeared that in the case of British regiments proceeding to the front, the loading of the stores and equipment is left to the Kaffirs, who are certainly not experts in this line of business, and who cause considerable delays through defective packing. At 2 o'clock the train drew out of Capetown station and we were on the way to the front at last. On the 22nd the train reached De Ar, where we received orders to proceed to Orange River station; we arrived there at about 11 o'clock and were greatly pleased when allowed to leave the train. As usual we unloaded everything ourselves, and then pitched camp on a sand hill close to the bridge, which was guarded by the Cornwalls.
     "The field hospital camp was pitched on the 24th, so as to be ready to receive the sick and wounded who were coming down by rail from Belmont. The next day 5 patients arrived and on the 28th the hospital was full. The Queenslanders and Scot's Greys joined us at this time; on the 31st they and some other troops were sent into the Free States to reconnoitre; two of our ambulance wagons, under captain R. E. Roth, of ours accompanied them; very useful work was done by the expedition, which dispersed the rebels. Later on we had to send some of our horses to assist the artillery to pull the guns out of a drift.
     "The hospital was now overcrowded, and to make make matters worse, one of our wagons had to take Boer prisoners to Hope Town, while a cart was told off for hearse duty. On the 3rd February I saw the first death in the hospital, viz., that of a sergeant of the Munsters. He was stitched up in a blanket and buried in the cemetery near the railway station, the "last post" being sounded over the gallant soldier's grave. The hospital kept full, but as most of our work was now of a routine character, the men became eager to push further to the north. On the 14th Colonel Williams went to Cape Town to bring up the second contingent of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps; two days later we received the welcome news to march, and to send all the patients to the Royal Army Medical Corps' hospital at the railway station. This done, we struck camp and loaded all stores into a special train under the direction of Major Fiaschi, who, being a very hard worker himself, expects every man to take his share also, and the men worked well and cheerfully. It only took us six hours to strike camp and load the whole of the stores and equipment. But we had to leave the surplus stores behind, taking only equipment and the cases of drugs which had been brought from Sydney. Honeynest Kloof was reached early on the 17th; there we unloaded and camped for the day. Later on we were fortunate enough to secure an ox-wagon from the Transport Office for the carriage of the drugs, and being well rested, left camp at about 8 p.m. to join Lord Roberts in his advance on Pretoria. We arrived at Modder River the following morning, and Jacobsdal in the evening of the 19th. The following night we pushed on to Klips Drift; the Lancers had been here five days before, but had moved off again to the relief of Kimberley. On the 22nd we resumed our march to Paardeberg, and as it rained heavily, we were highly pleased when we arrived at our destination, and had our camp pitched on the banks of the Modder River. Cronje's laager was not far away, and we were kept awake by the heavy firing which was kept up the whole night and continued throughout the next day. Our troops sent up a captive balloon with the view of locating the Boer laager, the enemy trying in vain to bring the balloon down by firing at it. Towards the evening Major Fiaschi received orders to proceed with his men to the kopje near which De Wet had broken out. The losses had been heavy on both sides; nearly all the casualties on our side were sustained by the Yorks. We made two trips to bring in the wounded, and finally had to camp out in the drenching rain. The next day we devoted all our attention to the sick and wounded. The water gave us much trouble, as it had to be boiled before use, the river having been polluted by the bodies of dead Boers and the carcasses of sheep and cattle that came floating down the stream.
     "On the 25th our guns opened a tremendous fire on the enemy's position, the screech of the machine guns being specially noticeable. On that day we also met the New South Wales Mounted Rifles under Major Antill. On the following day we expected the surrender of General Cronje; the firing from the big guns and small arms was incessant. Smith-Dorren's Brigade, the Gordon's, the Canadians and Shropshires attacked the enemy that night. They came within 60 yards of the Boer lines when the rattling of a jam tin betrayed them. The enemy opened fire at once, and our men lay flat on the ground and remained there until the morning, when Cronje surrendered. Our Corps at once prepared to cross the drift with the ambulance wagons to bring the wounded out of the laager. Major Fiaschi was the first to enter, and received the surrender of the Boers stationed in the so called eastern trench.
     "I was attached to Captain Martin's party. It took us nearly a whole day to get a number of Boers out of a cave in the bank of the river. The cave could only be approached by crawling on hands and knees through a small tunnel about 16 feet long. The cave itself was about 20 feet square, and in it we found the wounded Boers lying on old blankets; the air was very foul and breathing difficult. We carried many of the wounded to the drift, about a mile distant, where they were handed over to the Royal Army Medical Corps, who had formed a temporary field hospital on the opposite bank of the river. A number of the wounded were brought to our own hospital, which was under the charge of Major Fiaschi. Here we met Captain Roth, whom we had not seen for six weeks or more. We were fully engaged in the laager during the whole of the day, removing and attending on the wounded. It was a sight not easily forgotten. But among all their misery there were some comical situations. The captive Boers, about 4,000, were formed up before marching out of the laager to headquarters, nearly everyone of them had a green or blue umbrella, and it seemed ridiculous in the extreme to see such a large body of men, who, up to a few hours ago, had fought us so stubbornly, march gravely with gaudily-colored open umbrellas.
     "Dr. Fiaschi was on duty at the hospital, while Captains Perkins and Green and Lieutenant Dick were in command of the bearers. The first dead bodies we met going into the laager were those of the brave Canadians who were killed in the attack during the previous night. We soon got to work and kept the hospital going, where the doctors attended to the wounded day and night. Our hospital at night was lit up by means of good lamps, ordinary barrack tables being used for operating purposes. The doctors wore white aprons, and had their sleeves turned up; there was no spell for them, the work was continuous, and our men acted as orderlies. There was no confusion, everything was done quietly and with great precision, and but for the sad realities, one would have imagined himself to be at one of our railway ambulance competitions.
     "At 11 o'clock at night, when the doctors were still in the midst of their work, Lord Roberts came to the hospital to see the wounded, and expressed to Major Fiaschi his great admiration for all the arrangements made. He then visited the patients in the tortoise tents, a special feature of our equipment, and expressed his thanks for the care and attention paid to the wounded by the New South Wales Field Hospital Corps.
     "On the 28th it was our mournful duty to bury several Canadians who had died of their wounds during the night. The hospital was still taxed to the utmost, and although all the wounded who could bear removal were sent to Kimberley, it was only making room for others. On the 2nd March we handed our wounded over to the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Boers to the Dutch hospital, which had arrived from Jakobsdal.
     "The next day we started on the general advance to Bloemfontein, and reached Osfontein during the afternoon. We had again to pitch the hospital, which was full before night set in, most of the patients suffering from fever. Lord Roberts, who stayed at a pretty farm house, had enquiries made in regard to our requirements. As we now had about 200 patients on hand, some of our men had to stay behind to attend to them, while the others moved on with the main body of the army towards the capital of the Free States."