OVER-RIDING.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3211, 24 January 1893, Page 2

OVER-RIDING.

10 THB EDITOR, SlB,—A young English visitor in his recent long ride within a limited time has accomplished a feat which 'some people think we should bo proud of. A Wai> kato settler also, as we are informed in to-day's Waikato Times has done something similar which it is thought we should be even more proud of. For my part lam not able to see that there is any cause for pride in either case. Each of the gentlemen referred to has accomplished a feat of physical strength and endurance, but as far as we are informed for no useful purpose. Your correspondent moreover holds up the Waikato man to special honour because he did not change his horses all the way from Napier to Cambridge. Should this not be rather cause for blame than praise? To my mind the redeeming feature of the ride of our visitor was that the horses were changed continually, no horse being ridden beyond a reasonable journey. In conclusion, I would humbly enter a pro* test against the craze for record-breaking of all kinds, but especially physical exercise. Let us have manly, healthful exercise by all means, but let it be governed by moderation unless there be some really urgent call for a great effort. Our young men are not, I believe, generally aware how perilously near they frequently go in these feats to blighting the future of their lives, Blighted lives from such causes are only too common. 1 have.in mind while writing two cases recently come under my notice. These are both young men who not many months ago had most promising futures before them, but they have lost the hopes entertained by over training in physical exercise. These young men erred in ignorance,' but their error was nevertheless punished; and their acta have cut short their usefulness if indeed they have not also cut short even life itself.-I am,. Sir, yours faithfully, Wm. N. db L. Willis. Parsonage, Cambridge, Jan, 21,1393.