"TAMING THE OUTLAW."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 236, 19 December 1916, Page 4

"TAMING THE OUTLAW."

A Pukekohe Horseman.

" The Sajpoa Times" of November 4th tells of an incident that occurred in that island of the subduing of an unruly horse, and the point of interest to our readers is the fact that the hero of the story is Mr E. J. Bilkey, who recently left Fukekohe to take up military duties in Samoa, for which appointment he was specially selected by the authorities by reason of his horsemanship abilities. The following is the cutting from " The Samoan Times," viz.:—

" His looks did not belie him—a big, ugly-looking animal, with a reputation which had travelled far, some even averred that they knew him in the King Country, and that a certain generous (sic) hearted ' Cockatoo,' to prove his patriotism had presented it to the Government for war purposes. It was handed over to an innocent fellow without any warning—rather a poor joke—and he was soon in trouble, and escaped with a nasty shaking and a good few bumps and bruises. Thereafter it had a rosy time wandering round the paddock, until one day the ' Yet,' a big, burly fellow scaling under 18st, took him in hand and brought him to his knees; then the horsey men began to talk, and various wagers were laid. Commercial virtue on the rampage is a potent force anywhere, especially where the gee-gees are concerned. Whilst all the ' skiting' was on, one young fellow quietly stated his opinion that the animal was more more sinned against than sinning. At first there was a Homeric burst of laughter, and then a roar as if all the wild animals George Selous ever met gave voice simultaneously. That roused his dander, especially when they dubbed him 'only a bag of skite.' However, his quiet, unbragging assurance convinced the authorities, and in due course arrangements were made to let him have a show.

The day was fixed, and a fair crowd assembled. The ' Outlaw ' was brought into the showground and the young fellow stripped, as tine a type of a colonial as one would wish to see, a lithe, supple and cleanliving young cub. He soon got to work without any 1 tosh' or ' swank' —tixed his saddle and quietly mounted, with a smack and a whoop he let him go. The animal tried his tricks, but finding himself beaten showed his heels a few times round the ground. He was tamed and trotted home to lind a place in the troop, causing no little chagrin and surprise to the knowing ones.''