A SATURDAY TRAGEDY.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17762, 9 December 1929, Page 5

A SATURDAY TRAGEDY.

LOSS OF A “BLUE PETER.”

He joined the team at Courtenay Place carrying a brief bag, which apparently contained something particularly precious, as he w atched it with jealous eyes while it reposed finder the seat in front of him. i! deduced V: from the fact that it wtte 6.15 •on a Saturday and from a pronounced and familiar odour as of hopfields that my fellow-passenger had been celebrating. Subsequent, proceedings proved my deduction correct.

He was in a confidential and reminiscent mpod, and informed me his bag contained a ‘.Blue Peter,” which I understand is a receptacle used to convey alcoholic, refreshment for home consumption. The fact that* this was necessary to supply his Sunday requirements was matter for personal resentment. •

Thirty years ago, my friend- informed me, a walk to Island Bay On Sunday morning was all that was required, there being some written or ; unwritten law that- after travelling two miles liquid refreshment could be obtained. Thereafter the journey would be continued round ’Queen’s Drive to the Kilbirnie Hotel, wb er ®> to use his own words, “We carried on the good work.” H A spice of variety was added to these old-time Sunday excursions by visiting Kaiwarra, where there were two hotels, and Ngahauranga, with two also. “Those were the days,” he mused'sadly. “We'never missed a pub.”

He left the tram with his precious bag, carrying it as carefully as a. young mother her first baby. Turning to wave a farewell he stumbled ' .4/ • over the kerb when stepping on to the footpath, and dropped the bag. I have seen looks of pain, distress, and horror, but never hvae a seen greater anguish than that which overcast the countenance of my fellowpassenger.—J.E.