AUCKLANDERS' MASCOT.

tor' tho sake of Rona, the 1 Great Dane' mascot of tho Auckland Mounted Rifles one 'of the most inflexible rules of the Fourth London General Hospital has beeh relaxed under remarkable circumstances. Among tho patients m the hospital js a mtm of th 0 Mounted Riles to . whom the. do- l 1;u ] become groatly attached. Missing, her friend from t lie regiment,Rona becamo incoiwolable, and for three days refused food, although dainties of many . descriptions were pres.ved upon -her by her anxious soldier comrades. The man himself, on learn-' mg of Bonn's unhnpphießs, was greatly *» qoncerned, ami s in the interests of bothman and do S the hospital authorities consented that- (he dog, should;, be brought to the hospital, where there was a pathetic meeting between the friends. Rona is now staying at the hospital, and hopes sdon to escort her recovered comrade/ back: to the regiment.' Rona came into the possession of tho -Mounted Rifles under somewhat unusual circumstances. A detachment of the Rifles Avas waiting at Victoria Station* when tlie dog, which, withvits civilian owner, wte also waiting for a tr«in,. camo among the men and began.. *to' make a fuss" of them.' The men, who are, excellent judges of horsos and dogs, admired the splendid creatwe,which at that time whs little more th«h «• P»PPV; its owmer was so struck- by tho sudden friendship that had sprunß ( up^between his pet and the New Zen. landers, that ho presented Rona to tWregiment w the spot,, and. 'the Qos companied , the men Ito -then. 4 depot l > ' Ron/i,. is mow » .!on- ithi- st*6iiWth ( , J ' and wears -an -, official- identification disc carried on a r sUver . chain; siibsci'ibed' ftfr by her coffirqides. / •