OFFICIAL CATS IN STATE PAY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 4 November 1933, Page 11

OFFICIAL CATS IN STATE PAY

T>R-UTUS, who had perhaps the longest and most distinguished descent of any of London’s “official” cats, and was also unique in possessing a ticket to the National Gallery of art, died the other day, mourned by many friends, says the “New York Times.” He was a majestic black and white feline, more often than not to be seen on the telTaee of the National Gallery. His princijral claim to fame was that he traced his descent, or father had it traced for liim, back to the eat that belonged to Popys, the diarist.

Brutus, who died at the early age of six. was only a- semi-“official” eat, hut several of his species- have real government jobs here and are almost national figures. Perhaps the most notable is Rufus, the mouse-hunter of the Treasury.

Mouse-Flunter at the Treasury

Rufus has made Treasury history ; he is the only cat that ever got a rive in pay there. The people at the Treasury noticed a lack of enthusiam about him a few years ago. They talked it over and decided that his official allowance of twopence a day was not enough for a real mouser. They suggested to the Lords of the Treasury that Rufus should have another penile a. day. The Lords of the Treasury said “No.”

But Dame Maud Lawrence put the matter to Philip Snowden, then Chancellor of the Excheauer, Mr Snowden, saw the justice of Rufus’s case. So a second minute went to the Chancellor and was duly endorsed, “Treasury vote: Approve increase of cat’s pay.” Abanazar. the -official cat of *lO Downing Street, ;staysi while Prime Ministers come, and go.