A DAY IN THE COUNTRY. By a Recent Visitor.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 29

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY. By a Recent Visitor.

After being tied down to business for a long period in Dunedin, it is only natural that an invitation to spend a day in the country should make me count the days and even hours till that eventful day arrived. And, ye gods ! what a morning. No threatening clouds, no drizzling rain, but a bright and glorious morning, more like spring than midwinter. Having to catch the South express, I am soon going at top speed for the station. On arrival I find a comfortable smoking carriage, get a Daily Times, light my pipe, and we are off. Hearing the guard call out " Henley" reminds me that this is the first stage of my journey. A buggy is waiting here to carry me beyond the township of Berwick. As we drive along a not very good road we see evidence on every side of the damage done by the recent Hood — acres and acres of crop that have never been cut lying half rotten, and water still on some of the low ! grouncl around Lake Waihola. Wo pull up at Berwick, and have a crack with Tom George, who soon trots out a fine bay colt, by Captain Webster out of Castauette 11, for my inspection. He is a even well-made colt, with a head like his sire, and has every appearance of being able to go fast. He is being ridden about the roads for exercise daily, and is, I believe, named Cabin Boy. This township is also the home of Wanderoo, Informer, Beaconsfield, &c, the trotters in Messrs Crossan's stable ; but having to hurry on I had not time to have a look at them. Another quarter of an hour's drivo brings us to Mr Johnston's pretty little homestead nestling between two picturesque hills — my destination. After a cordial welcome and some refreshments, we adjourn to the stable to look at the horses. The first to have his rugs removed was Wayland (by Le Loup — Remnant, who has been enjoying a six months' spell, and looks in perfect health, and much benefited by his holiday, and fit to go into exercise any moment. He is to be put into active work shortly. The Rubezahl — Malice colb nexb occupies our attention. This colt after being broken in had to be spelled on account of thrush in the feet. He has filled out considerably, but has not grown much, and is, I believe, to bo tried again shortly in view of Spring engagements. In a paddock not far from the stable some brood mares are running. The first we inspecb is Lass of the Hills, full sister to Neckersgat, and the dam of Adventurer (by Fusileer), now in training at the Forbury, and Red Riding Hood (by Le Loup) — the latter a promising filly that unfortunately met with an accident while training at Forbury. Cock of the Walk (by The Assyrian) also claims her as his dam. Running with the mare is a fine chestnut colt foal by Gorton : a really hand-some-looking fellow. The next to come under notice is Vaultress, by Albany — Miranda, halfsister to Crown Jewel. She will be mated with a good sire next season. Fast herself, and bred as she is, and well mated, she ought to throw as good a one as there is in the country. Apology 11, that fashionably-bred but unreliable mare, is running in the same paddock. She is also to be put to a good sire next season, and on her breeding, being by Apremont out of Gilda, she ought to throw good stock. Red Riding Hood concludes the list of brood mares. She has recovered partly from her accident, but will never stand training again. She should make a good stud matron, and perhaps may leave something as prebby as herself. In anobher paddock is a. colt by Captain Webster out of Lass of the Hills, who appears to have wintered rather poorly, but may turn out better than he looks at present. After walking around the training track, which is one mile and a-quarter in length, but owing to the wet weather lately is unfit for working on at present, though with time_ it can be made one of the best private training tracks in New Zealand, we adjourned to have a turn at poor bunny, and waged furious war in his camp. After knocking over a lot of the " more viewly," and showing them what a bad shot I was, it was time for the return journey. I arrive home at 7 p.m., after having spent one of the most pleasant day's outing it has been my lot to enjoy in Otago.