GOLDEN RULE OBEYED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20000, 7 January 1935, Page 2

GOLDEN RULE OBEYED

MAN WHO FOUND PURSE The individuality of a man of Perth. Australia, made Englishmen aboard the Oronsay open their eyes in wonder, led colonial passengers to smile, and thrilled all who heard the story. The man of Perth gave an original twist to the Golden Rule when he seized the chance to practise it. The story was told by Dr Theodore G. Gray, InspectorGeneral of Mental Hospitals in New Zealand, who, with Mrs Gray, returned by the Makura after spending several months in Britain. An English passenger on the Oronsay went to Perth and lost his wallet. He searched in vain and was greatly upset because, besides £lO in cash, the wallet contained various personal and official documents. After much search and inquiry the passenger hired a taxi, went back to the ship and reported his loss to the purser in case there should be some result of the inquiries. The purser handed the passenger his wallet and a letter which read as follows: Si'! “Dear Sir, —I found your wallet which I am returning. I have kept £1 for expenses. Christmas comes but once a year. Good luck. Cheerio.” There followed the man’s name and address. The Englishman was so astonished and pleased that he forthwith sent the man a further instalment. A similar incident occurred in Melbourne where a passenger lost his hat and coat. They were returned promptly to the ship. “We all reckoned the Perth man was a real sport and that the twist was typically Australian, although one Englishman thought the man must have been an Englishman lately settled there,” said Dr Gray.