A PARSON ROUGH-RIDER

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14239, 4 July 1910, Page 7

A PARSON ROUGH-RIDER

It is not often, says the Auckland correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times," that one hears of a clergyman who is an expert rough-rider, but at a recent performance of Jones Bros.' buckjumpers at Whangarei the audience had the somewhat unique experience of witnessing, a member of the cloth comfortably seated on an "outlaw." The ringmaster had called for volunteers to ride a wiry-looking animal named Lively Kitty, when, much to the astonishment of the audience, a parson came smiling into the rinj4 in the person of the Rev. Jasper Calder, of Whangarei. The proprietor stared blankly at the somewhat small figure in black, but said nothing, and assisted the young man to mount. After two unsuccessful attempts at moimtine, due to the restlessness of the horse, Mr Calder got safely seated. Tn an instant Lively Kitty showed that her title was justly earned by putting in a few good, straight bucks and some nasty "twists," but the reverend gentleman showed himself to lie mi excellent horseman by sitting calmly in tin' saddle and smiling i in perfect pase until bis mount had hud i enough. The audience cheered the

rider to tlio echo, and the proprietor was.so delighted that he. announced his intention of presenting Mr Calder with a .special-, gold medal for his unique exhibition.. The following night, the memento was duly presented before a crowded. audience, (mainly from- ,the back-blocks)., amid great applause. The modal bears- the following ■ inscription : ■ —'•Presented bv Jones Bros, for roughriding, to the' Rev. J. Calder, 'The Little Minister.' "