AN OBJECT LESSON

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 7

AN OBJECT LESSON

OLD, BUT INDEPENDENT PIONEER MINER PREFERS FREEDOM REFUSES OLD AGE AND WAR PENSIONS Per Press Association. NELSON, April 29. One of the cases called on in. the Magistrate’s Court to-day was not without its pathetio side. An old miner, over 80 years of age, was before Mr A. Gould, J.P., charged with vagrancy. It transpired that this hardy old pioneer had seen much better days, having “struck it rich” at some of the gold rushes. Lately he had been prospecting at Howard, from where he walked to French Pass. Being practically destitute he was taken into custody and brought to Nelson. CAN EARN HIS OWN LIVING He felt his position keenly. Asked how he got on for food, he replied he had lived for weeks on nikaus and birds. He had a strong objection to going to prison, stating tjjat he was quite capable of earning his own living. He also preferred not to go to the Alexandra Home as he wanted his freedom. , He is entitled to an old-age pension and a Maori War pension, but he has claimed neither, stating that he would rather he independent. Mr Gould put the old man at his ease by assuring him he did not intend to commit a man with such an independent spirit to prisom, but suggested he should become a voluntary inmate of Alexandra Home during the winter months. After some persuasion the defendant agreed, and on this condition the charge was dismissed.