DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 257, 6 December 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

TIIvORA.N'GI, (From Our Own Correspondent). The most confirmed pessimist can find nothing to complain about as far as the weather is concerned, which is simply perfect. Beautiful hot, calm days with an occasional' heavy shower is having a wonderful effect on the pastures, and 'consequently on the milk supply.

The examination of the local school is over, and almost all the pupils have "passed," much to the gralilicalion of the parents. Under present 'conditions these examinations are, I suppose, necessary, although it is questionable whether the practice is conducive to real progres's. The ordeal experienced by a party returning from the show on Friday evenin" will not be forgotten by those concerned for a very considerable time. It appears thai as Airs. C. If. .Tnrv and Mrs. 0. W. Snrlcii, Willi their two" little girls, were driving home, by some means the horse shook the winkers oil' and set! out ut- a great puce. The ladies, realising their helplessness, at once <vizcd their children anil essayed to jump out. -Mrs. Snrtcn with her child was successful, but unfortunately Mrs. Jury's little girl clung to the gig and was pulled away from her mother, who was left on the road, whilst the horse, amidst the heart-rending and piercing screams of the eliihl, pnrs'ued its frantic course towards home. Mr. 0. Stockman, jnn., who was driving home from the show and leading his weight-carrying hack Mere behind, was overtaken by the runaway, and lie at once left his gig and mounted his hack bareback, and .set out in pursuit. Coming up to them, lie rode jalongside anil skilfully guided the run-! away around the corner of the i'urnngi' road, anil then attempted to stop it, I hut, realising lite impossibility of doing I this, he continued his course, keeping the terrilicd animal away from the fence, which it was hugging in a dangerous manner, until the gig capsized, throwing flic child (|uite clear and unhurt except for a slight .scratch. Having satisfied himself of the little girl's welfare. Mr. Stockman turned his attention to the horse, anil, with the assistance of others who had arrived on the scene, secured it. The remarkable thing is the distance —about four miles—covered b>' the runaway before coming to grief. Mr. Stockman's plucky action is deserving of the greatest commendation, as he was running no small risk in riding a highspirited liorse beside the runawny oil such a rough road and so tlai'K a fght.