LETTERS FROM THE BACK BLOCKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 57

LETTERS FROM THE BACK BLOCKS.

Dear Dot, — I've got bo much to tell you that I don't know how or where to commence. I suppose ifi was a proper reporter I should have to commence with the arrival of -the train from town, crowded with visitors and drawn by two big engines — a sight never seen in the " Back Blocks " before. But being only a boy. and because I know 3 r ou, and lots of your little folks, will be glad for mo, I must tell j r ou the last event of the day first — and that is that Moses took a first prize. Now I've got that off my mind I'll settle down to business. The first sign of the holiday was the arrival of the hounds on Sunday evening, in readiness for the- hunt that was to come off on Tuefcday. On Easter Monday everybody's first thought was : What kind of a day is it going to bo? Becvase, of course, we wanted to look our beet for tho townspeople. In the early morninj? thcie was a slight nor'-wester, but about 8 it Eettlcd down and tho rest cf the cloy was perfect. By 9 tho road leading to the show grounds began to be crowded with exhibitors bringing up their entries, and at 11 the excitement of the day commenced with the arrival of th train. We do things in style in this part of the world, and so the judgoi were met at the station by a four-in-hand, which drove the:n to the show grounds. There were so many attractions that day that really people didn't know what to do first. On ono sid< of he road there was a big bazaar going on ; on the other side, in tho Town Hall, an agricultural show; and a little farther on, in tho A'hlelic grounds, tho animal and jumping exhibits. I couldn't possibly toll you aboul all, so I'll jusi, stick to tho, animals— for the present. In tho sheep claf-s there were not so many entries as there might have been, considering that this is r sheep district, but what there were were good, especially the freezers. The cattle were also very good, everyone being fat, as there is plenty of grass about still. There were not very many draught horses, Ihe people seeming to think that they mustn't put things in that were not extra fine. The class for light-weight horses was the best filled of all, anil some grand harness horses were shown. The best lady's hack (to be ridden by a lady) caused great excitement. Seventeen ladies rode into the ring and faced the judges. I heard some" people say such a sight had never been seen in New Zealand before. They looked awfully nice, and there were some splendid horses and riders amongst them. If- took a long time to do the judging. They were very good riders too, and managed their horser very well. Of course only two could get prizes, but when I get to be a judge I shall gi\e "highly commended" to. every lady. The next event of the day was the best jumper. I had got permission from Dad to put Moses in for tho " maiden hunlors," so I thought I would put hiir in for the best jumper without asking. I knew perfectly well he could jump if he liked, but Dad said afterwards when ho saw a boy with a High School hat on riding out amongst some of the best horses iv South Canterbury he could hardly believe his own eyes. Some of tho hunters who came with the hounds had put their horses in, so we had to compete against them. But " pride went before a fall," Dot. Moses had been i» a dickens of a temper all day, and 1 had the bad luck to have to ride at the hurdles first. He cleared that like a bird, but the next one, a water jump, he balked. Three jolly times I put him at it, and he wouldn't look at it. Fancy, Dot, how would you have felt if you had been in my place? I was mad with him, cutting up like that before all those people. However, I took him away and reasoned with him, and when the next event came off, Maiden Hunters, he took all tho jumps — hurdles, and water and gorse— flying, and plenty to spare. There wasn't a happiei boy in New Zealand than 8.0.8. when he rode out of the ring with a first prize on Moses's head. Some of the committee were kind enough to toll Mother and Dad that the prize was fully deserved for his splendid jumps. So I hope aftei that, Dot, yov wii' consider

him worthy of a place among the Witness Little Folks' portraits. It doesn't matter about me, I'll slay out until next year, but please find a place for him. I'm too tired to tell you about the other sights to-night, so will leave it till next week. — Yours truy, "R O X [I think it is the least we can do to include Moses, and 8.0.8. also, in our group I am sure all the little folks wilJ be extremely proud of Moses's work at the first Back Blocks Agricultural Show, and will eagerly look for 3 picture of the noble steed. Personally I congratulate 8.0.8. on his determination in subduing the fiery Moses, and I think his success is fully deserved. — DOT.[