THE PIED PIPER
A MODERN RIVAL. London, Sept 16. A rival to the Pied Piper of Hamelin has sprung up at Fleetwood in Lancashire. He is the official Fleetwood rat-catcher, and he claims that when he sings or whistles a tune, the rats come from their haunts and are lured to their destruction. Last year, according to the port sanitary inspector’s annual report, the rat-catcher was responsible for 1066 rats, and as this number corresponds with the date of the advent of William the Conqueror—and the rat-catcher’s Christian name is William—ho describes himself as ‘‘William the Rat-Conqueror.” The rat-catcher is employed in ridding fishing steamers of rodents. The greatest number he has eaught in vue steam is 87, and the average fa *O.
The tails of rats are kept M evi« deuce of his skilL
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Bibliographic details
Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 27 September 1927, Page 8
Word Count
135THE PIED PIPER Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 27 September 1927, Page 8
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