LONG HORSEBACK RIDE.

Shannon News, 21 July 1925, Page 2

LONG HORSEBACK RIDE.

RIDER COVERS 424 MILES. SHANNON TO NORTH AUCKLAND. Long horseback rides, which were taken as a mailer ol course in the old days beiore me arrival of the locomotive and tlie motor car, come as vc. y rare events in modern times. Added interest, therefore, is given to tne journey completed a. short time ago oy Mr. M. Burke, of Ahurha, ivonii Auckland. Setting out from Shannon, 2i miles south of Palmerston North, lie rode 424 miles in varying stages to Ahurou, covered the entire distance on horseback without tiie slightest mishap. Mr Burke spent 11 days in actual travel, and broke his journey at Te Awamutu, where he had a week’s spell, liis speed averaged 4i} miles an hours, which was fairly good going considering the fact, that the horse carried a" load of over 15st, including a cowboy saddle. Tlie animal, a mare, ' arrived in good condition after her long journey and was perfectly free from sores or ailments. The following table shows the various stagds of the journey, together with the ‘distances covered and the times taken; — Stage. Miles. Hrs

11 days. 424 91

in journeying on from Drury, the rider did not pass through Auckland, but proceeded northward via’ Te Papapa. As mentioned above, a week elapsed at Te Awamutu. —Standard.

Shannon-Palm. Is'. ... . Fri. 21 4 Palm. N.-Marton ; . Sat. 27 7 Marton-Tailmpe ........ . Sun. 52 9 Taihapo-Ohakune . Mon. 34 9 Oh alai ne-Tnu j na.ru n ui Tues. 52 11 Taumarmmi-Te Kuiti Wod. 54 11 To Kuiti-Te Awanmtu Thurs. 33 6 To Awamutu-Ngarua-wahia Thurs. 29 6 Ngaruawahia-Drurv .. . Fri. 48 12 Drurv-Woodhill . Sat. 50 11 Woodhill-Ohuroa . Sun. 24 5