A GHOST STORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7868, 2 August 1911, Page 5

A GHOST STORY

Many years ago in Wellington there was a ghost stalking about tho city at all hours of the night, and, despite the vigilance of tho police and private citizens, it could not be laid by the At the time a Wellington representative team was in training in view of a match against Auckland. Returning from the gymnasium on© night Bob Sim, Dick Taiaroa, and Fred Fairbrother, with two or three others, had got as far as Whittaker's stationery shop on Lambton quay. After knocking oft training, Taiaroa hadn't bothered to take hi-s football clothes off, but carried his white shirt under his arm. Bags were a luxury thosa days, and Taiaroa didn't sport one. To get on with my story. Sim jerked Taiaroa's shirt away from him, and waved it in the air. One of tho party jokingly suggested to him to put it on, and directly he did so the cry of “The Ghost!" was raised. By that time the party had got opposite the police station, and as quick as thought cut rushed three policemen.

The Poneke three-quarter was in good form, and he made off at' top with the men in blue in full cry after him. Up Charlotte 'street lie went at a gallop, along Sydney street, and round the Hotel 1 Cecil into Lambton quay. The chase had been so .hot .all the way that he had not time to take the shirt oft’. One policeman must have had an inspiration, for, instead of following his mates up Charlotte street he kept along Lambton quay, with the result mat Sim run. right into his aims.-

“What’s your name?" demanded tho man in blue. "Tom Jones!" “Where do you live?" “152, Tinakori road!" “That's right," says Fairbrother, who had come up at that stage, “I know him well." “You'll hear more about tIiLS, I promise you!" was the policeman's remark as he let Sim gq. For many days, aye, months after that. Bob biin used to go the longest way round ho could find to the Government Buildings, and i have no doubt that policeman watched. th» pedestrians-along Lambton quay for “Tom donas, 152, Tinakori road," but he never found him. Bo may read this paragraph, but 1 don't think no can iiaie Bob Sim before the beak for the joke he perpetrated and the fright he got so many years ago.