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Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 268, 17 November 1874, Page 7

A writer in the Thames paper tells the following anecdote of a genial officer of her Majesty's forces who was in the early days quartered at Taranaki:—" There -was not much in the way of amusement, and the gallant officer was in the habit, after making his men snug for the night, of riding into New Plymouth. Sometimes he stayed very late. On one occasion he tied his horse to a fence, intending to stay but a very short time with his bam companions. But good company and potent liquor mastered his good resolutions, and he remained the customary spell. When he arose to leave, his senses were slightly obscured, but he managed to mount his hone, and was very soon sleeping. He woke up at daybreak, very cold, and found that before mounting he had forgotten to detach the horse's bridle from thefence. The good conpany he had left, by some unfortunate circumstance had prolonged, their sitting, and they just broke up in time to witness the discomfiture of their compaiiion, at whose expense they then and tlwre enjoyed a hearty langh, which was not the last time, for the unlucky officer never heard the last of his escf.pade—at least, until a Maori bullet some time after gave him his quietus.