“TOMMY ROT."

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3262, 20 October 1897, Page 4

“TOMMY ROT."

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —In your paper of this day’s date there appears an account of an interview with Major Sommerville as to bis trip tn the Old Country, and the following is ao extract, namely : —“ Some of the crack cavalry regiments were certainly very poor ” (this refers to the marching past). “ Upon my word, the Grenadier Guards and the Household Guards looked like a dog’s hind leg.” Ye gods! The Grenadier Guards described as cavalry! And whether or no,forall Major Sommerville,of the Wanganui Cavalry, says, I would venture to assert that a crack cavalry regiment would knock spots in marching past, whether at the walk, trot, or gallop, with any New Zealand cavalry force that ever was put in' the field. Sir, I have seen the Wanganui Cavalry and the late Heretaunga troop, and I can only say that when it came to a wheel you could drive a coach and four through the line at any point. Then as regards this celebrated wind that sprung up at Bisley and spoilt the New Zealanders’ chance. Well, I suppose the competitors from other places suffered the same disadvantage. What I want to point out is this, that in the colonies, whether it is a football match, cricket match, rifle shooting competition or anything else; there is always an “if” that comes in. “If so-and-so had not happened we would have won.” Exactly so. “If the little dog had not stopped to scratch' his ear, ho would have won the race.” Why on earth can’t we be men and admit that we wore fairly licked and the other men were better ?—I am, &0.. Tommy Eot. Wellington, October 18th, 1897.