A REMARKABLE RIDE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1393, 20 March 1912, Page 5

A REMARKABLE RIDE.

WHICH PROVED FRUITLESS. (Br TaleiraDh.—Snseial Corr<>ooon4ant.) Auckland, March 19. The story of a remarkable ride comes from Tauniarunui. It appears primarily that the hero of the story, Mr. Schnltz, who Jives not far from Aukopao. on the Wanganui River, is a yuiet, unassuming settler, who has not the least desire to obtain notoriety i y breaking records. He has, howefer, just accomplished u remarknble ride, not with tho idea of doing anything extraordinary, but with tho object of seeing his brother, wh.) was to pass through Tauniarunui on 'lhiirsdav last, on his return to America, via Wellington. Mr. Srhultz was in New Plyli'.outh on Wednesday, when ho learnt of his brother's movements, and knowing that unless ha i-aught him at Taumaruliui on his way through he would have no other opportunity "of seeing him, he dccided <o vide to this town, hoping to be in timo to meet the train. He left New Plymouth at noon on Wednesday, and reached Waibtra (16 miles) a eouplo of hours later. His next stopping-place was Urenui (nine miles), where he changed horses, after which, following in the main the roulo of the Stratford-Te-koura railway, he got- to Moutea (12 miles) and thence to Rira Kapa (15 miles). Tho total distance traversed to (his point was 53 miles. The roads so far had been excellent. but after that becamo ileplorabiy bad. Through the Whangamomona Gorge and through tho Tongaporutu he plugged on till he got to his Jiomo in the Ohura in the early hours of (ho morning. Distance from Itira Kapa, 10 miles; total distance, 112 miles. Changing his horse again (the last good animal had carried him G7 miles in not much over 12 hours) he set out for the final stage of 17 miles over a difficult road through wild and hilly country. Fortunately the recent slips hail been cleared away, and lie got through without a break. It is a pity such a ma'-'iiiiicent effort should have proved fruitless, but as ho was descending the hill towards tho Ongaruo River bridge he saw the express steaming out of the Tav.maruniii station at -1.30 on Thursday morning. Thus he had ridden 109 mile's ill 161 hours through country which was in great part difficult, and in some places rbngcrous. Taking moHy time and distance into account, this "performance is probably not a record one, but under similar' :onditions it would not bo easy to surpass.