FUN OF THE FAIR

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1926, Page 4

FUN OF THE FAIR

.SAILORS ox hors mack. AUCKLAND, Foil. ];j. .-V large number of sailors from the Dunedin ,'iml Diomede had a great time at the Haitomata Agricultural Show at Yiaiwera. flip wars flips were anchored in the Ua.v. a lid parties oi bluejackets immediately set themselves out to enjoy to the Utmost all the fun of the Fair. The country people f,iirl v took them to their hearts, and laughter and cheering made the scene a merry one. The fun commenced when a .Jack Tar meekly approached an official and asked him if there were any mounts to spare. Ho assured an official that he conhl ride, and a mount was soon forthcoming. .Jack was a- good as his word, and much to the amazement and amusement of expert riders and the thousand onlookers, he cleared the hurdles in fine fashion. Jack was in a heaven of delight until a petty-officer was the means of bringing him to earth. The potty-officer mounted via the tail, and soon had a seat behind the saddle. The next

thing seen was a riderless horse tossing its head proudly in the air, with two very surprised Jack Tars sprawling in the grass. Thereafter they decided to ride one at a time.

Meanwhile other sailors sought mounts. One succeeded in borrowing an aged hut spirited white inure, and was soon urging his mount to a gallop.

“Tie can’t ride every time! The horse goes up and he goes down." exclaimed it little boy. This was unfortunately true. Jack met his match when the mare suddenly stopped short, and lie went .spinning over her head, clutching tightly at the reins. Undaunted, he remounted, hut was again thrown. He then tried to mount with both stirrup irons on one side, and immediately slid over the other side. 'Finally, his companions persuaded him that he was a better gunner than a rider, and bidding adieu to the mare, he gave up the game.

A spirited young calf claimed the attention of three petty officers. “Give it a go,” saiil the owner, when one of them asked permission to mount the animal.

He succeeded i'll getting hold of the calf’s tail, but the animal shot ahead with such speed that the petty-offieer had a narrow escape from coming down on his face.

Further laughable efforts to corner the calf proved fruitless. At the end of the day the Jack Tars thanked the owners of the horses for the fun, one saying he had never had a more enjoyable day in his life.