THE DATE OF THE FAREWELL.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLOURS.
WELLINGTON, This Day. It has been decided that the farewell to the New Zealand Contingent shall be given on Jervois Quay. Lady Ranfurly will be asked to present the colours.
Sergt. Leonard M. Tartant, of a Coromandel company, and a son of Mr H. A. Tarrant, Inspector to the Waimea County Council, is a member of the New Zealand Transvaal contingent. -Nelson Evening Mail, 17/10/1899.
GENERAL NOTES.
Mr Leonard Tarrant, a son of Mr H. A. Tarrant of Lower Moutere, a sergeant in the Auckland Mounted Rifles, is one of the contingent. Mr Tarrant left Nelson about five years ago. His parents leave Nelson to-day for Wellington to bid him good-bye. -Colonist, 18/10/1899.
A NELSONIAN AT THE FRONT.
The appended letter, received by his parents (Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Tarrant, Lower Moutere) from Mr L. M. Tarrant, now with the First Contingent in South Africa, is of interest. It has been forwarded to us for publication: —
"Arundel, South Africa, Dec. 13, l899).
"My Dear Mother — We are now at the tront at Arundel, and have been here six days. The first place we went to after leaving Capetown was Naauwpoort. We were there a little more than a week. The base camp is here now, a distance of about 20 miles from Naauwpoort.
"Last Saturday we had a slight encounter with the enemy, but none of us were hurt. We are every day in the saddle, very often before daylight, and sometimes not returning until dusk. Yesterday we had one horse wounded in the leg; this morning at daylight the outposts sent in a message that the enemy was advancing towards the camp. We were immediately under arms, and our guns very quickly made the enemy retire. I think we have played great havoc amongst them. There are two or three of one of the British regiments wounded. Our position in case of attack is on the north side, and the attack on this occasion coining from the south-east we had no firing to do.
"There are fresh troops coming into camp every day. I think we must now muster about 3000 here. Both the horses and ourselves are standing the climate very well. I myself have been in perfect health ever since I left New Zealand. A few of our men have been in the hospital for a day or two at a time, but there has been nothing very serious.
"Our rations do not amount to very much — 1 1/4lb of bread or biscuit, 1lb of meat, and occasionally a little jam per day: but we occasionally supplement this somewhat out of our pocket when near a store, and from here we send down orders with the guard of the train.
"Now, dear mother, of course you will have seen all the accounts of our movements in the papers before you this, and do not be over-anxious on my account, as I am trusting in God for strength to do my duty from day to day and I know if it is His will He will guard me from the enemy's bullets, and if He decrees otherwise I can only say 'His will be done.'
"I must now say good-bye dear mother, as I may be called away to do something at any time. With much love to all.
"Ever your affectionate son,
"L. M. Tarrant." -Nelson Evening Mail, 25/1/1900.
NEWS BY THE MAIL.
LETTER FROM A NELSONIAN.
The appended letter from her son, who is with the first New Zealand Continent has been received by Mrs Tarrant: —
South Africa, 12 miles right of Rendsburg, Jan 14th, 1900.
My Dear Mother — I received your letter and the Nelson papers you sent, for which I am much obliged, as the least little bit of New Zealand news is very welcome in this out of the way place. wer are not quite yet in the Orange Free State as we have not yet taken Colesburg. It is rather a hard position to take, and all the artillery we have here is hardly long enough in the range to compete with a longrange gun that the Boers have. We heard to-night that our long-range gun has rerched Rendsburg, and if so we shall get on a little faster, but at the present rate I fear the war promises to be a long one. Of course our work is a little risky and dangerous, but not so much as you may imagine. We mounted men are used as escorts and scouts, and sometimes, after a place has been shelled, we have to advance and take possession of it, but by that time the enemy have generally made themselves scarce. In scouting, that is in finding out where the enemy is located, it would be dangerous if they would let us get close to them, as they hide on the kopje behind the large lumps of rock, and it is almost impossible for us to know they are there until they fire and expose themselves; but almost before we get within range of their rifles they begin firing on us, when we of course having found out where they are, we retire out of range until the artillery has shelled the position. Now I have explained to you, dear mother, exactly how things are going on at present, not having glossed over the danger, as I am sure you had an exaggerated idea of our dangers from what you read in some of the papers. Lord Roberts, our new Commander-in-Chief, has arrived in South Africa, but has not yet visited this part. We hear that another contingent is leaving Wellington to-day. I am enjoying very good health, in spite of hot days, early rising (very often before 2 o'clock a. m.) hard biscuits, and tinned beef, and think I am no thinner than when you last saw me at Wellington.
January 17th. — Two days later. When I wrote on the l0th we were holding a position on the top of a kopje about 2 1/2 miles from camp. We had been stationed there about a week, half of us at a time, one company relieving the other every 24 hours. The position was a very important one, this kopje being the key to a line of kopjes behind which we were camped. For two or three days the enemy had been dodging about just outside the range of our rifles, but about noon on Monday they tried a dodge to take our position. A fairly strong party came on to a kopje within range, and taking shelter behind some rock, commenced a heavy rifle fire on our men, who, taking as much shelter as possible, returned their fire. In the meantime another force of Boers had skirted the foot of the kopje and commenced ascending our kopje, the face being so steep that we could not see them advancing until they appeared within a few yards of us. The Boers evidently did not know what sort of stuff the Britons of the South were made of, or they would never have come up. No sooner did our men see them appear than they shot the leading Boers down, jumped up from cover, and charged them with fixed bayonets. The enemy immediately turned and fled. We fired on them as they fled helter-skelter down, the hill; two of our guns then appeared on the flat and dropped a shell upon the kopje occupied by the enemy, who immediately retired in utter confusion, our men dropping bullets amongst them as they ran. We lost two men, a sergeant and a trooper. The Boers lost 25 men on our kopje alone, besides a good number on their own. [Sergt: Gourley and Trooper Connell are evidently meant.]
The next morning General French had us lined up in front of him, and I will try and give you his exact words, viz. — "Major Robin, officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the N.Z. Mounted Rifles — This is not the first or second time I have had the pleasure of congratulating you upon your conduct while under fire, and upon one occasion I had the pleasure and honour of being with you myself, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the way in which you repelled the attack of yesterday, and shall have much pleasure in mentioning your conduct in my report."
Your loving son, L. M. TARRANT. -Nelson Evening Mail, 1/3/1900.
The following is a copy of the telegram referred to: "The cable of Saturday stating that 17 of the First Contingent had been captured, is confirmed, and knowing how anxious those would be whose dear ones are at the front, I took the precaution to get full addresses before the men left, and am thus able to send news to those directly interested. I regret to say that Leonard Matthews Tarrant is amongst those captured. Major Robin cables that the men are all well, but their horses were killed, bad scouting is blamed for the mishap, it goes without saying that the scouts were not New Zealanders. Please accept my assurance of sympathy and regret, but still the news might have been worse, there is of course the possibility, that after the next engagement our boys may be released or exchanged — (Signed) E. J. Seddon. -Colonist, 18/4/1900.
DORNSPRUIT ENGAGEMENT.
PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER.
ACTION OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS.
LIST OF PRISONERS.
By Telegraph.Press Association.-Copyright. Sydney, May 7. The News correspondent, writing on April 2, gives particulars of the disaster to General Broadwood's column at Dornspruit. The whole affair, says the correspondent, is inexplicable. The merest neophyte in the art of war, one would imagine, would have taken the trouble to find out if any of the enemy were in the neighbourhood before camping in a hostile country, and the youngest subaltern would have been cashiered if guilty of bivouacking without throwing out pickets.
The Boers came down without warning. It was only as the British were prepared to cross the donga that the whole scheme of the Boer attack became painfully apparent.
One hundred of the enemy suddenly emerged from a donga, and with rifles ready to fire, demanded the surrender of the batteries and waggons. Almost simultaneous with the appearance of the 100 Boers was the arrival of 800 more, who rushed the scene by way of various spruits, and the entire force was practically surrounded.
"Throw down your arms," was the next order. Many did so, utterly demoralised by the suddenness of the attack; but a portion of Roberts' Horse, and others, made a dash for freedom, but were literally cut to pieces, losing about 90.
The scene here beggars description. Huddled together in batches were plunging horses, men, waggons, shrieking Kaffirs, and guns. The artillerists fought bravely enough, but had no chance, for one of the batteries, "U," was right on the donga when attacked. Out of this it is said, only the major, sergeant-major, corporal, and 14 men, were left to tell the tale.
The sergeant-major made a gallant attempt to rescue one of the guns, and though the near side wheeler was lying dead on the poles, succeeded in lashing up the rest of the team, and actually got the gun away some distance, and attempted single-handed to get it into action before it again fell into the hands of the enemy.
The whole guns of the "U" Battery were therefore captured by the Boers.
On our left flank the Zealand Mounted Infantry, who were unaware of the seriousness of the engagement going on in the donga, were sent down with a portion of Roberts' Horse, and opened up a retreat to Boesman's Kop, towards which, by a very circuitous route, carrying them far to the south of the iest, the battered brigade made their way.
As our men fell back and sought shelter among the long rank grass, the Boers boldly pursued and shot many of them from the saddle, recklessly exposing themselves to our fire. One of the New Zealanders' waggons was captured, and driver Pitt was sent with the wounded to some tin houses, near where the battle took place. In the hurry and turmoil of the scrimmage, he was apparently forgotten, for he found his way back to his company without further mishap.
Amongst the missing New Zealanders are Quartermaster-Sergeant Berland, Sergeant Harris, and Privates Jewell, Catherall, Franklin. J. U. Riley, G. Powell, Butters (2), Prosser, Valentine, Pope, Tarrant, Cosser, E, H. Palmer, Waldie, and Miller, 16 in all, who, with the exception of Quartermaster Berland, are supposed to be badly wounded. -NZ Herald, 8/5/1900.
VERY LATEST.
TOWN EDITION.
Per Press Association.
ANOTHER NEW ZEALANDER DEAD.
AUCKLAND. April 25.
The Governor has received a cable from Sir A. Milner, Capetown, stating that No. 71, Trooper Tarrant, of the First New Zealand Contingent, died of typhoid fever at Pretoria on April 20th. Tarrant was one of the New Zealanders recently captured in the Free State, and belonged to Coromandel. -South Canterbury Times, 25/4/1900.
THE LATE TROOPER TARRANT.
To the Editor of "The Evening Mail." Dear Sir, — Will you allow me through your paper to tender our most heartfelt thanks to the many kind friends who have written and telegraphed to us upon the occasion of the death of our beloved son in South Africa. We have received telegrams from all parts of the colony, from Auckland to Dunedin, which have been a great comfort and solace to us in the time of our great distress. Truly yours, H. A. TARRANT. Lower Moutere, 27/4/00. -Nelson Evening Mail, 30/4/1900.
THE LATE TROOPER TARRANT.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
The "Coromandel County News" contains the following notice of a memorial service held on Sunday 6th May at Coromandel: — "There was a large attendance in Christ Church on Sunday morning, the ocoasion being a memorial service to tha late Leonard Matthews Tarrant, formerly a member of the congregation, and one of the New Zeal anders who went to South Africa with the first contingent, saw active service, was captured by the Boers, and died from enteric fever at Pretoria, on April 20th. His old comrades — the officers and privates of the Coromandel Rifle Volunteer Corps — were present to do homage to his memory. The Communion Table was draped for the ocoasion. Appropriate hymns were sung, and the organist (Mrs W. H. French) played the Dead March at the commencement of the service, the congregation upstanding. The Vicar (the Rev O. F. R. Harrison) delivered a most impressive and pathetic sermon, taking as his text: Acts, chap. XI, part of verse 24 — "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." In the course of his sermon the Vicar said: "The war in South Africa — although horrible in destroying the lives of so many valuable men — has been the greatest means during our gracious Queen's reign of consolidating the British Empire. It is only in the time of the deepest distress and difficulty that the best traits of character of the British people come to the surface; it has brought forth from all parts of her possessions a devotion to our Queen and country that would not have been apparent but for the present struggle for liberty and just Government. The present war teaches us many lessons, and especially that of self-sacrifice — some of our ablest officers and best men have already lost their lives on the altar of duty for Queen and country. It makes even the strongest man grieve at this loss, and yet all must admire the energy and the devotional self-sacrifice of such men. This service, brethren, is specially as a tribute of respect to one of our number, Trooper L. M. Tarrant, No. 71. — He was a true soldier of the Queen, one who showed himself worthy of our love and esteem. He lost his life for Queen and country. He died far away from home, friends and kindred — a stranger in a strange land. He was a good citizen, zealous in all good works. As a volunteer soldier he was always willing and ready to obey his superior officer, which is the first mark of a true soldier. He did what he had to do cheerfully, willingly and with all his might. He also did his duty as a soldier of Jesus Christ. It was because of his devotion to God that he was enabled to live the life of a good citizen, and be such a good soldier. He was no ordinary Christian — a man of few words, but full of devotion to his Saviour. He was prominent in the temperance movement, foremost in Sunday school work and tried to lead the young in the true path of life. He was superintendent of the Driving Creek Sunday School, and vice-president of the Church of England Christian Endeavor Society. In his character and in his humility from day to day he showed he was like the one referred to in the text — being filled with the Holy Ghost, and full of faith in God. 'As no man liveth unto himself alone,' says St. Paul, so no man dieth to himself. No Christian living is without influence for good. We, as a community — as a church — can ill afford to lose such influences, but there is the lasting impression on our hearts of his life and death — for he died a true soldier of Jesus Christ. God grant that the time be hastened when war shall cease, and peace and prosperity and the establishment of Christ's Kingdom shall be for evermore." -Colonist, 29/5/1900.
THE LATE TROOPER TARRANT.
Condolence from Lieut.-Colonel Robin.
Mr H. A. Tarrant, father of, the late Trooper Leonard Tarrant, has received the following letter from Lieut.-Col. Robin: —
Rietvlei, 30 miles S.E. Pretoria, 14th July 1900.
To Mr H. Tarrant,
Sir, — It is with great sympathy I have to tender to you and yours the very great sorrow we all feel for you in the loss of your son, No. 71, L. Tarrant, 1st New Zealand Contingent, who died of fever at Pretoria, 15th April, 1900. He is buried in the public cemetery close to that town. He always proved himself a good soldier and helped well in the great cause. That he was taken prisoner was no fault of his, and he did his duty as he found it. During his illness I hear that he was well attended to, but this fever is a terrible thing and claims more victims than shot and shell. -Colonist, 14/9/1900.
UNVEILING CEREMONY.
The ceremony of unveiling the monument at the wharf was performed by the Mayor, Mr J. S. Wratt, last Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a very large gathering of people, representative of all parts of the district. The mounted corps, to the number of 36, was drawn up in a line under their officers.
His Worship, in alluding to the purpose for which the monument was erected, stated that while serving a threefold purpose as a memorial to the late Trooper Leonard Tarrant, the accession of King Edward VII, and the celebration of Peace, it was also of great utility as a drinking fountain, provision being made by means of a force pump for a supply of water for horses and dogs in the front of the structure, while the requirements of thirsty humanity were provided for also on the other side. The movement to erect the memorial had been initiated by Mr H. L. Moffatt, the wharfinger, who had solicited subscriptions for the work, and he had also been associated with the Committee, appointed by the coronation and peace committee, to see the work carried out. His Worship also spoke appreciatively of the late Trooper Tarrant's services to his country as a soldier who had died in captivity as a prisoner in South Africa; stating also that a Queen's medal had been sent to the late trooper's parents since his death. He also appropriately referred to the tableted record of the accession of the King and the celebration of of peace, concluding his remarks by expressing his satisfaction that the memorial had been erected but regretting that the cost, some £40, was greater than the money in hand, leaving a deficiency of £l2 or £l3, which he trusted, now the matter was known, would soon be subscribed.
Addresses followed from Mr W. J. Moffatt, Chairman of the School Committee; Councillor Trewavas, and the Rev. T. Johnston. Cr Trewavas in his speech mentioned the name of Trooper Harry Collins, who though not a native of the district, had been reared here, and had while away joined one of the contingents, and had given his life for his country in South Africa.
Mr H. A. Tarrant, father of the late trooper, sincerely thanked all who had assisted the effort to record his late son's services; especially would he thank Mr Moffatt, the wharfinger, who was responsible for the movement and largely through whose efforts the handsome and useful monument was erected. He stated also that by having volunteered to take a comrade's place, his late son was taken prisoner. He had, however, been well treated by the Boers, when ill having every attention at their hospital. Mr Tarrant concluded by thanking all the speakers for the kindly sentiments expressed.
The proceedings terminated by singing a verse of the National Anthem.
It should be mentioned that at the ceremony of unveiling which consisted of removing the flag enveloping the front of the monument which bears the tablet, the mounted corps presented a arms.
The memorial committee were represented by the Mayor, Mr Jenkins, Secretary of the Coronation and Peace Committee and Mr H. L. Moffatt. The sum of £4 12s 6d was collected at the gathering, some £8 odd being yet required.
The monument is an excellent piece of masonry, the work of Mr Geo Miller of the firm of Miller and Sons, Nelson, and stands about 12ft high, being square in shape, of concrete and cement, and having a solid base with drinking founts in front, finished at the top with a heavily moulded cap, or top piece, and surmounted with a lamp. The side fronting the wharf hears a marble slab with the following inscription: — "In memory of Trooper Leonard M. Tarrant, a Member of the 1st N.Z. Contingent, Born February 8th. 1871, who died of enteric fever at Pretoria, South Africa, April 15th, 1900. Also, to Commemorate the Accession of King Edward VII., and the Celebration of Peace, 1902." -Motueka Star, 10/7/1903.
