A TEACHER OF POCKET-PICKING.

Kaikoura Star, Volume I, Issue 1, 2 November 1880, Page 3

A TEACHER OF POCKET-PICKING.

Twenty years ago Chester established a school in London dedicated to the devotees of St. Nicholas, and he speedily obtained many pupils. The most wellknown and skilful pickpockets who have paid the penalty of being caught, and those who were clever enough to evade the dutches of the myrmidons of the law, have all been moulded in the Chesterian method. And when it is stated that in twenty years Chester has been able to amass a fortune of fifty thousand pounds sterling, the great importance and efficacy of his lessons will be thoroughly appreciated. His pupils on leaving his institution, were formed into bands of ten, under the guidance of a “ schoolmaster and it was under the aegis of this very watchful guardian that they overran the earth. Two-thirds of the “ profits” were faithfully and punctually paid to the illustrious professor. Chester demeaned himself but twice in his career by “ working” personally. It was in Paris during the two last exhibitions. In 1878 he was arrested and condemned to six months imprisonment, and he was, moreover, prohibited from ever entering France again.

disposed of his good will of his “ business ” to two of his best pupils and retired to’ Birmingham, where he has a great deal of property. Having some very urgent affairs to settle in Paris, he applied, a few days ago, for permission to pass a week in this capital, which has been duly accorded him. But as it was deemed unadvisable tb allow a man of his capacity to roam about the city without let or hindrance, two police agents have beeft told off to act as an escort of surveillance. -Chester is sixty-five years old, and is a father Of ten children, whom he has educated in a princely manner, and he himself is master of several languages.