“LOOKING FOR GOLD.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3661, 13 May 1924, Page 57

“LOOKING FOR GOLD.”

AUCKLAND, Alay 10. A miner’s right was the novel document handed to the Alagistrate at the Police Court to-day by a man who averred that the license entitled him to go on to racecourses. Benjamin Barker, an elderly man, was charged with having trespassed on a racecourse, being a convicted person. Detective O’Sullivan deposed to having found Barker on the course. He had a list of convictions and was already on probation. “I have the right to go to the races,” declared Barker presenting a square of blue paper for the perusal of the Bench. “Why, this is a miner’s right,” chuckled his Worship. “Quite a unique document in these circumstances. Do you seriously suggest that this entitled you to go to the races. I can’t see the connection.” “Well, I was there looking for gold your Worship.” said Barker without a ghost of a smile. Loud laughter followed this reply, the Bench enjoying the joke as much as any one. “Anything else to say?” queried Air Poynton. “Yes, when I went there I dropped across a couple of duffers, that’s all.” “Well, this won’t he a duffer,” said the magistrate. “Fined £10.” Barker (dramatically): “I can’t pay The Magistrate: “Or 14 days 1”

The parish register of Ramsey records that Major William Cromwell, a cousin of the Protector, died of plague on February 23, 1665, and that he caught the infection by wearing a coat the cloth of which came from London It adds: “Tho lailor that made the coat, with all his family died of the same horrible disorder, as did no less than 4CO people in liamscy, and all owing to this fatal coat.”