THE PATHFINDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2756, 10 March 1910, Page 6

THE PATHFINDERS.

AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE WITH LORD KITCHENER.

Yesterday (writes the correspondent of the “Dominion”) Lord Kitchener had an experience which it is safe to say was very unusual, but which he accepted in a splendid spirit. He w r as proceeding to a certain mountain for the purpose of gaining a panoramic view of tho manoeuvres under tne guidance of an officer, whose knowledge of the country was not so extensive as he imagined. On the way Lord Kitchener discovered that the spot he wished to' attain was miles away across the scroia country, at right angles to the route he was being taken. After consultation a cross road was tried, but this proved to be a cul-de-sac. Lord Kitchener showed no trace of annoyance, but rather seemed to enjoy the unique experience. Another road was tried, and here Colonel Tuson met with an experience. His steed, rather than pass between scoria rocks, made a stupendous jump. Colonel Tuson managed to keep his seat, and the incident passed without anything serious happening. Lord Kitchener continued his attempt to get across country and made his horse take a stone wall. He was enjoying himself now, and apparently did not want to see the panorama. His staff dismounted to cross the wall, and Colonel Tuson, in trying to force his horse over, inadvertently caught hold of a barb-wire fence, and severely cut his finger, necessitating medical attention. Lord Kitchener calmly pursued his way across tho scoria country for some time. Ho watched the manoeuvres from a rocky eminence, and wag much amused at the efforts of one of his self-constituted civilian bodyguard to make liis horse jump the scoria wall 3ft high. Tlie efforts of his staff at path-finding seemed to amuse Lord Kitchener, but' eventually a way was found through private property by a civilian scout, and Lord Kitchener was once again back on a hard road. He was groatlv interested at this point (Barrett’s Hill) by the development of an attack by infantry, who were having great difficulty in crossing the broken scoria country. He laughingly remarked, when inquiring the way from some civilian horsemen that ho had a fine body of scouts. He took a stand for quite a while on Barrett's Hill, and spied out the land. Mr. Bullock Webster rode up to the party hero 'on a fine black hunter. Lord Kitchener s eye,- which misses nothing, immediately rested on the fine animal, and lie Said genially, but in the tone of a judge, “That is a fine horse you are riding. It is a pity you do not breed more of. them and'send them to India as remounts.”