QUAINT FIGURE

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 10

QUAINT FIGURE

LONG TANGLED BEARD LEARNED GREEK SCNDLAR A quaint figure, known to all Melbourne, was carried into the casualty ward of IRoyal Melbourne Hospital. He was Robinson Gaisford Surgey, aged 76, who had been knocked down by a motor truck and suffered head injuries. Although few know him by name, Surgey is almost as well known as the town clock. He has a long, tangled heard, and is seen regularly shuffling * along the streets reading his Bible, to

which is attached by a string a number of theological books. From his arm dangles a hilly-can of tea and a paper bag containing a scone. Surgey has followed his strange mode of living for many years. He is reputed to he one of the most learned Greek scholars in Melbourne. He was educated at an English university, and lives on an income sent regularly from England or France. He sets out each morning from the Booth Memorial Home, where he rents a bed, and wanders about the city all day until it is time to attend evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral. 4