'Kakahu' - Lieutenant Colonel Milltons favourite horse
I read the article about the Okuku horse memorial in the Press. The attached memorial was among my grandfather’s war memorabilia and I have always wondered about the history of Kakahu.
My grandfather, Captain Edward Harris, was killed at the Somme in September 1916. He farmed near Geraldine, was a Captain in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles there, and was passionate about horses. When he went overseas, I don’t believe he took a horse, but I have his war diary and he often rode horses with other officers in Egypt and in France.
My grandmother must have kept the memorial to Kakahu with his war diary, newspaper clippings and photographs. Perhaps she attended the ceremony.
Susan Cambridge.
The word 'Kakahu' means Maori Cloak. One of these cloaks can take up to two years to make, with many feathers in intricate patterns. Each cloak has its own story to tell. 'Te papa' in Wellington NZ has the world's largest collection.
Down south, between Geraldine and Fairlie, is 'Kakahu Station,' currently owned by the Hargreaves family. The previous owner was the Bruce family.
Below is an email from R. Bruce on the 24th August 2014 who replied to a query when asked if Kakahu was named or came from the station?
My grandfather owned Kakahu prior to Hargreaves, @1910 to 1925. During this period 3 Bruce sons went to WW1,1 & 3/4 returned! Harry remains on Gallipoli, My father Allan 7/21 South cant MR was in camp on a training exercise when war was declared so he was off to the war with the first , as you see from his number. Roy his younger brother followed, Roy with other South Canty mrs at the end of the war returned to Gallipoli to bury dead (yes they were still about!) .
I do not have evidence of actual camps at Kakahu but there were many informal gatherings as grandfather was very patriotic (flying the flag was a family custom, and still is) several fundraising activities were held at Kakahu during WW1.
Horses were around but I do not have hard evidence of organized breeding programmes. It also appears that the Kakahu church may have been built at this time , since gone.
Both my parents were nuts over horses. Dad's nick-name was Bronco Bruce! Mother rode at hunts, etc both using a winchester from horseback and she jumped side saddle. She continued to ride into her 60s.
Regards Richard R. Bruce.