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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 61, 1 November 1887, Page 2

A Saturday’s telegram states: —One of the members of the late corps of the Ponsonby Rifles was before the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Auckland, yesterday, when D. B. M‘Donald, who had been captain of the company, sued Sergeant Searell to recover 16s 3d, the cost of ammunition supplied. It transpired that the company, which bad only been two years in existence, had accumulated funds to the extent of £lBO, and at its disbandment these funds were distributed amongst certain members of the corps, a tea and coffee service being purchased for the captain. Sergeant Searell was refused participation in this disbursement, he having given offence by questioning the accounts of the company. When the division of the funds was proposed ho suggested that the debts of the company should be paid aud the balance of the money refunded to the Government. The plaintiff was nonsuited, as it was ruled that he had no status to prosecute, having ceased to be captain. There are some “ queer cards ” in the world, but perhaps in Taranaki (says the Heaald) we have one of the queerest. His claim to be classed among the uncommon specimens of humanity rests on the uncanny habit he has of sleeping in what he terms “ his.coffiu ” so that when he dies he will pu t no one to any trouble or expense over his funeral. He made the coffin, a most roomy arrangement, himself, and has been in the habit of sleeping in it for years. He hopes to shuffle off this mortal coil in the box.