“TWO ‘QUID’ ON HINKLE”

Evening Star, Issue 18281, 22 May 1923, Page 3

“TWO ‘QUID’ ON HINKLE”

THE PUNTER AND THE JUDGE,

AIISTAKEN FOR A BOOKMAKER

A Supreme Court judge, of necessity, must be without reproach, That there are such things as bets and Tattersall’s tickets are to him unknown in his private life. And thereby hangs a talc (says the Auckland ‘ Star ’-). Dunedin is a quiet city, and after the Court of Arbitration had ended its sitting His Honor Air Justice Frazer stayed on a few days to enjoy the floods and rain and the Scots’ atmosphere generally. The hotel at which he was staying was quiet enough, and there was just enough sunshine outside on a recent morning to permit His Honor to enjoy one of those well-known cigarettes, lie proceeded to do so.

From around the corner a frowsy individual approached. He walked up to the judge. “Hello, Steve!” he said, cheerfully. “Good day, ain’t it? Timaru races on ? ”

Judge Frazer, who is an approachable judge, smiled, astonished. “ Yes,” he said, “ I suppose the rain is over and the fields are good. Going II P • ” “ Oh, no, Stove. I don’t think so,” said the frowsy one. “ But I’d like a coupla quid on" Hinkle in the Cup. Here you are.” His Honor looked at the frowsy individual, the dirty notes, and at the sky. Then he spoke. “ You’re making a mistake, I think. Steve must bo inside.” The frowsy one apologised. “ I thought you was Steve. . . . He’s a fat chap, you know.” “ Fat, is he? ” said the judge. “ Well, I wouldn’t say that. . . . On the Bench I don’t look so fat, they say.” And then the whole truth came out. The' judge does not mind telling the story. The frowsy one took off his hat. Ho bowed. Ho scraped. He took a “ Tatt’s ” ticket out of his pocket and tore it up. And ho backed away for a yard or so, and then turned round and ran. It is not known whether he got his money on. The judge docs not say.