THE OLDEST HORSE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3076, 2 April 1892, Page 2

THE OLDEST HORSE IN NEW ZEALAND.

We clip the following from our Opotiki contemporary :-Captair. Angus Smith has entered for the coming show on the 10th inst. his grey mare Jessie, and as this exhibit will prove a most interesting one, on account of her great age, a short biography of this famous old mare will not be out ot place here. In tho latter end of 62, or the beginning of 63, the New Zealand Go vernment purchased a number of horses for the Maori war, which was then pending, to be used as transports and remounts for General Cameron's troops. Among those purchased in Sydney was Jessie, at that time a fine strong active beast, sound and staunch. She was at once drafted into the transport service, and branded 846 on the near hip with the letters CTC on top. She then served through all the Waikato war, from Drury to Rang.riri, and was again present at the battles of Gate 1 a and To Renga under the same genertJ, besides a number of other small engagsments. In the latter end of '64 Jetsie, with a number of other horses, were sold in Tauranga, and she was bought by Colonel Iraser (now MH R. for the Thames). Shortly after Captain Smith bought her from Colonel Fraser for 75gs, and he brought her with him to Opotiki. She was then seven years old Here she did gallant service, and one little episode deserves special mention. Colonel Lyons' redoubt at the Waioeka was attacked by the natives, and the hring, which was brisk on both sides, was heard by the troops stationed in town, and they, under Colonel St. John, hurried off to the rescue. When within a few hundred vards they found the redoubt surrounded by the natives, and as he was accompanied only by a small body of cavalry he was obliged to wait until the main body of infantry, who wore coming along at the double, won d come up. He was anxious to send word to the redoubt that assistance was coming, and asked for a volunteer. Smith, who was then acting sergeant-major, was riding Jessie andknowing that his veteran mare would stand fire-rode off at a gallop On her way she lumped a ditch, aud the Maoris, thinking the cavalry were on them, were for a moment taken aback. The intervening 150 vards were soon covered, the men in the redoubt gave three hearty cheers, and two jumping out assisted Smith to get Jessie down into the ditch, where she remained safe from the bullets which were passing overhead until the troops came up and cleared off the natives, lor this service Jessie got honourable mention. When the wnr was Gver Jessie was one ot the hrst to put her shoulder to the plough, and continued this peaceful occpuation, a good and faithful servant for over twenty-five years. During this time she reared ninetonn foals; the last three, aged S, 0. and 7, will accompany her to the show. Jessie is now thirtyfive years of age—the oldest mare, we believe, in New Zealand.