“TWO QUID ON HINKLE.”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18786, 21 May 1923, Page 6

“TWO QUID ON HINKLE.”

THE BETTER AND THE JUDGE. MISTAKEN FOR A BOOKMAKER! A Supreme Court Judge, of necessity, must be without reproach. That there are such things as bets and Tattersail’s tickets are to him unknown iu his private life. And thereby hangs a tale. Dunedin is a quiet city, and after the Court of Arbitration had euded its sitting, His Honour Mr Justice Frazer stayed on a few days to enjoy the floods and rain, and the Scots’ atmosphere generally. The hotel at which he was staying was quiet enough, aud there was just enough sunshine outside on a recent morning to permit His Honour to enjoy one of those well-known cigarettes. He proceeded so to do. From around the corner a frowsy individual approached. He walked up to the judge. “Hello, Steve!” he said, cheerfully. “Good day, ain’t it? Timaru races on?” Judge Frazer, who is an approachable judge, smiled, astonished. “Yes,” he said. “I suppose the rain is over and the fields are good. Going up?” “Oh, no, Steve. I don’t think so,” said the frowsy one. "But I’d like a coupia quid on Hinkle in the Cup. Here you are.” His Honour looked at. the frowsy individual, the dirty notes, and at the sky. Then lie spoke. “You're making a mistake, I think. Steve must be inside.” The frowsy one apologised. “I thought you was Steve. . He’s a fat chap, you know." “Fat, is he?” said the judge. “Well, I wouldn’t say that. . . On the Bench I don’t look so fat, they say.” And then the -whole truth came out. The judge does not mind telling the story. The frowsy one took off his hat. He bowed. He scraped. He took a “Tatt’s” ticket out of his pocket and tore it up. And he backed away for a yard or so and then turned round and ran. It is not known whether he got his money on. The judge 'does not say.