AN AUSTRALIAN AS DESPATCH RUNNER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 222, 14 November 1900, Page 4

AN AUSTRALIAN AS DESPATCH RUNNER.

J *B° (soya th« Awfy Telegraph) went) over to - New Zealand, ftytu JNew South Wales, «ndp competing in every swimming v, ehampionstup there that season, made * andean sweep .of the board. Four jean ago, Leo decided to try hia for tone iB South Africa, and when war was r , declared he Joined Pidmer'a Bhodenaß Horse. He has jut returned to Sydney. Alter taking part in a pretty v aavirre, though brief, engagemuit at Orjcodile Pools, and seeing muoh 7 eernae ler direobione, he conr oeived the notion o{ . Incoming a desj p»tch for his diecharge with the objeot cf, if p3»ible, carrying Uttarip fromitie'beleaguered forces and residents generally to. the outside world. (Lionel Plumer readily v acceded to ;the request' when the intent 01 was explained, but expressed - doabt as to the of suoh a •proceeding. However Leo did get ' into the town and out and back again ' several times, with large numbers of - oommanictioLS, being paid accasion®ly as high as £5 by individuals '.t anxious that their lrienau should bear I s from taem. Lao had many narrow t.- escapes following hi* hazardous * - occupation, but beyoud getting u splinter from a shell in she baud ha got eff unscathed, and looks as welt } Mid strong as ever, though the effects « of a bad attack of malarial fever are still with him to a slight extent. & . 'Speaking with regard to the opportunities for makiog money at it" carrying despatches, Leo said that ' - •oma of the bearers did very well indeed. It was common property that ! om (an American) cleared £3OO in a ' liagle trip from Kimberley; "but,of ?v. ooßrse," remarked Leo, " that was only H one; such chances did not come very .often." Leo was reticent regarding bis J . adventures, contenting himself with laying they were OBly of the kicd one ai he might expect. It was v.. may enough, as a rate, to get oat, but coming back was aooth< r fcbiag. * ' The oco&s on of a skirmish cn one 6ide •' of the town girera'ly provided a good ' ohsnce for entering at the other. He i < f bad several "boys" (Kaffirs) ascistog him and tpeaks very highly of their faithfulness. The burnt veldt " t supplied- em o h country for the f bicycle, and he used that or a horse ts . seemed best suited to his purpose.