LUCKY STRIKE DELEGATE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 4, 5 January 1910, Page 7

LUCKY STRIKE DELEGATE.

ESKERXBS- ESTATES,

SOCIALIST TO LAND OWNER.

It was recently reported by cable front Sydney that Mr. James Scott, delegate for the Newcastle Crane Drivers' Union to the Strike Congress, had resigned, and would, proceed to Great Britain shortly after the New Year to take possession of a considerable estate in Scotland that had fallen to him.

Mr. Scott informed an "Evening News" representative that.he.was entitled to onefifth part in an estate of about 28,000 acres in the Border district of Scotland, which ran right-to the town of Selkirk. This was part of the estate of the Scotta of. Harden, who in the old days were noted Border-raiders and cattlerstealers. The Scotts were related to the Duke of Buccleuch, but he did not know what his personal relationship wa3.' He- always remembered his father saying, "Jimnii.e, you ought to be proud of your blue blood."

Mr. Scott explained that, as far as he could learn, the property was valued at nearly £100,000. There were four farms and about 40 acres near Selkirk, on which were erected n great number of factories. Referring to his life, Mr. Scott said he ran away from home when he was 10 years of age, and went to Leith. He got a job as cabin boy on the first ship he had ever seen, and remained at sea before the mast for many years. At the time of the Jameson Raid he was in South Africa, and subsequently fought against the Boers in Kitchener's Fighting Scouts. After the war Mr. Scott went to Nejv Zealand, and early in the year, came, to Newcastle, where he joined the Crane Drivers' Union.

Mr. Scott married Margaret Ford, of Raymond-terrace; a daughter of the wellknown- sculling enthusiast. He with, hiswife and three 3ons intend leaving for Scotland in a few weeks' time. Mr. Scott is 34 years of age.

When the Strike Congress met last week he explained to the delegates the altered condition of his life, and asked to be allowed to resign from that organisation. The delegates were very surprised, and heartily congratulated Mr. Scott on his good fortune. His resignation was accepted. Mr. Scott's last duty for the strikers was to take to the commissariat department a case of condensed niilk, donated to the Congress by a city merchant, -and a sura of money for distribution as strike pay to tho miners. Mr. Scott admits he is a Socialist: and follower of Mr. Dowling, "but only when he gets excited."