LATE PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1410, 30 November 1878, Page 18

LATE PROVINCIAL NEWS.

CAMBRIANS. (fbom our own cobbespondent.) November 26th, 1878. On Sundayjevening, the 24th inst. , an old mati of about 60 years was seen by Mr Harley taking a pair of strong men's boots from the bootstore attached to Mr Harley's Hotel. The boots had not been either purchased, lent, or given to the culprit, who seems to follow various occupations on farms and sheepstations. He was ordered to surrender the property, but he disobeyed, and made tracks on foot to Dunstan Creek, four miles away, as if ho really wished to go into the lion's mouth, for, it is at Dunstan Creek (St Bathams), the district constable resides. He was followed on horseback by Mr Harley and Mr William Thurlow, jun. Mr Harley, immediately on arrival, informed Constable Murdoch of the misappropriation, and the constable "accused the boots," secured the identification of the abstracted property, and lodged the "old man eloquent " in the St. Bathans lock-up. This candidate for gaol distinction contradicted himself when attempting to account for the illegal possession of the boots, and he added insult to injury by a fruitless attempt to bribe all concerned in his capture, which aggravated his case in more than one way. For example, a man who can afford to bribe, can surely afford to be honest. Our kleptomaniac frisnd, or rather enemy, rejoices in more than one name, and is not unknown to the irjside of Colonial gaols. This person is not, and never has been, a resident of Cambrians. Some time ago he abstracted articles of value from the home of a neighbouring farmer. I would suggest, if necessary— that is, if my suggestion has not been anticipated — that his photograph should be taken at two distinct f-ittings — first, in his present hairy-faced condition, and afterwards with his face bereft of moustaches, whiskers, &c. The reason for this twofold operation should be obvious. If Mr Ewing is elected to the office of Chairman of the Maniototo County Council, in my opinion he will be the right man in the right place.