Hard Riding.

Recently some old Colonial hands recalled certain long-distance horse—back journeys in New Zealand. Our modern roads discourage both horse and rider; but the horse will return to a certain extent, and fortunately for those who delight in a good mount, there are many districts of travel to which the polished bitumen and the high-power car have not yet penetrated.

What is the record speed for a cross-country gallop, or for a long highway ride? is another question that those interested in horseback work have discussed. I do not know that any record has ever been kept, but I have heard (from comrades of the rider) of a dashing ride on very urgent business which may take first place until someone brings evidence of a faster performance. The rider was a young settler of Mauku, South Auckland, and the occasion was a desperate fight between Maoris and the farmer-soldiers and Militia on the Titi Hill, not far from the historic Mauku Church, in the war of 1863. The Militia and the settlers (the latter were enrolled as members of the Forest Rifles Volunteer Corps) were hard-pressed by the Maoris and were outnumbered, and had to fall back, fighting a rearguard action, towards the church, which was the fortified garrison-house. Soon after the skirmish began Lieutenant Lusk, the Forest Rifles commander, despatched young Heywood Crispe, one of his neighbours and fellow-volunteers, to the nearest British camp, Drury, to ask for reinforcements.

Crispe was a lightweight and well mounted. He rode at a gallop all the way to Drury, thirteen miles, and covered the distance in less than an hour. Good going, along a rough, new road, nearly all the way through the bush.

Heywood Crispe fulfilled his urgent mission well, but he had a rather exasperating reception at Drury. The Imperial officer in command of the camp declined at first to believe there was any urgent need for reinforcements.

Some of those pioneer settler families still farm the good lands of the Mauku country, among them the sons of the despatch-rider of 1863.