A MOUNTED COMMANDER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7190, 7 January 1902, Page 2

A MOUNTED COMMANDER.

In connection with the suggestion that Major Smith, of the Defence Department should be selected to command the Eighth Contingent, one of his experiences in Melbourne, where he went iv charge of the infantry contingent at the opening nf the Commonwealth Parliament, is worth relating. We might preface it by remarking that the Major would not pass a riding test of the most elementary kind, although of course that is not considered now-a-days except in regard to the rank and file. The day of the great celebration orders were sent to the camp of the New Zealand Mounted men thnt a horse would have to be found for Major Smith, and although this involved dismounting one of the men, the quietest animal available was sent in to the city. Major Smith certainly mounted the horse, but there his excursion ended. Not uuderstandstandiug the proper use of. what he called the guide ropes, the liorse took command and lauded the gallant officer right in the middle of one of tho regimental bands, and no porsuasion or no noise was effective enough in dislodging (lie animal from his musical point of vaulage, until the whole procession was over. The marvel to the spectators was hot? the men managed to get on at the most critical moment without their commanding officer. We could tell some good tales of the experiences of some of the ofllcers iv that great function, but let this suffice for the present.