ARMY MULES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12537, 7 May 1915, Page 2

ARMY MULES.

THEY DON'T MIND SHELLS. The announcement that 3000 mules have been imported into this country from South America for the use of the army reveals the fact that the military authorities are using these hardy animals for transport purposes in the war as they did in the South African campaign. Mules in many ways, excel horses as war steeds. They are subject to comparatively few of the diseases which attack the horse, and in point of intelligence and also in muscular strength and endurance the animals beat the purer bred mounts. Under fire a mule displays astonishing coolness, for he is not so nervous or highly strung as the horse, and unlike the latter is not inclined to dash wildly about the battlefiled when Lhe noise of exploding shells reaches his oars. In fact, the mule at times displays a- stubborn desire to stand stock-still when under fire, which recalls the story of the Irish soldier in the Boer War whose gun team of mules refused to budge when the retreat was sounded. As all his lurid eloquence could out move the animals lie made the best of a bad job and started working the gun against the advancing Boers, who eventually retreated. The -soldier was commended for his bravery, although, as he confessed, fame was forced upon him by the stubborness of his mules. .Mules are sure-looted and strong of limb, and they are clever in climbing down steep rocky places and negotiating sharp turns. But despite his many good points, the mule has a troublesome trait of stubbornness running through liis character. He greatly objects to being shod, and the army smiths have many exciting times when carrying out such operations.