APPROPRIATE PRESENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 118, 9 April 1853, Page 11

APPROPRIATE PRESENT.

[From " Punch."] The annexed is a little offering of respect and gratitude from the last ship-load of convicts to Australia to the present head of the Home Office. It is a beautiful work of art, represent ing the head or " nob" of a " cracksman," made of pure, gold from the Diggings, and bears the following inscription:—• " To the Secretary of State For the Home Department for the time being, The grateful offering of 500 convicts, Who, having left their country for their country's good, Have found it very much for their own good also. To all who wish to better themselves in life We can hold up our own example, and say, ' Go thou and do likewise.' " The gift was accompanied with the following copy of verses, evidently the production of. one of those unlettered and simple-minded men : "We wos lagged for warious acts of priggin', . And in consekvance was sent to the diggins', Where we 'as the best o' grub ; And if so be we likes the wasbin' tub We can wash each man his hounce a day Wich is upards o' three pound, which aint bad pay. ; Whereas when at 'ome, a chap as liked work ' And warn't reg'larly on the priggin' lurk, Vy, he-couldn't earn above two shillin' Though he might be both strong and willin'; Vich shows the difference atween the old country and this ere—rSo weep not for me my comrades deer, My time is hup, my fate you see, Then stay awhile and foller me. Crack a crib as I done, and get fifteen year, And arter two they sends yon out, witn your ticket o' leave clear; Where you can either dig gold yourself like bus, Or if you don't like that, vy you can bone from them as does. (Signed) "Bill Sykes, " His + mark."