GEORGE NORTH, THE LEVANTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6282, 31 May 1881, Page 2

GEORGE NORTH, THE LEVANTER.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, May 30.

A young man named Carlton, who arrived by the mail steamer, and went on in her to Sydney, related last night to Mr. Fisher, of the Occidental Hotel, an account of a conversation he had at San Francisco with North, the Wellington levanter, shortly after the former's arrival there by the last mail boat. He said that the first Sunday he was at San Francisco he visited Woodward's Gardens, in order to see some sports that were going on, and was snprised to perceive North there, in company with a man named Street, who runs a large saloon. He went up and shook bands with him, and after an interchange of the usual common-places North enquired what was thought of him in New Zealand, when Carlton replied that he had completely ruined the sweepstake business there. North appeared to be very jocular, and several times remarked in a tone of great glee, “ Didn’t I give them a b start. I intended some day to do it.” He professed willingness to pay anyone whom he should drop across, and said his wife and family were 100 miles up-country, that he had cleared out of Wellington with £4600, and that he was then oa his way to the Cape. He intended, however, in going thiough the States to lecturs on the evil consequences of gambling, and the disastrous results entailed upon young men by their weakness for sweeps. He (North) further drew attention to the slightly pock-marked appearance of his face, and, In explanation, said that on reaching Honolulu he went ashore, interviewed the King, got gloriously drunk with him, and caught the smallpox, which was raging there at the time. He was put in the pest-house, and kept confined there for a mouth. He bade Carlton goodbye, after desiring him to tell his New Zealand friends that he intended coming back and giving them another turn some day.