"WHAT ABOUT THOSE RIBS AND BROKEN LEGS?"

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 58, 6 February 1877, Page 3

"WHAT ABOUT THOSE RIBS AND BROKEN LEGS?"

o An amusing, but to the parties concerned somewhat unpleasant story reaches us from a Northern correspondent, in whose statement we have the most implicit confidence :—Mr. N., a gentleman who for many years, both in this colony and in New South Wales, has been an active member of the fourth estate, recently had occasion to visit Timaru upon ordinary business with another gentleman of the craft, who held a responsible position in Timaru. On returning it appeared that Mr. N. took the train for Christchurch and Lyttelton, intending then to take his departure for the North by the first opportunity. While in Christchurch, however, a telegram was received which awakened grave suspicions of a murderous deed in the mind of the telegraphic authorities; and they with commendable alacrity, appears to have communicated its contents, which ran as follows, to the police :—" Timaru, 9.30 a.m.— Forward ribs and broken legs to Lyttelton —morning's train." The sender little thought that he was placing Mr. N., and probably himself under the surveillance of the police; but the truism " murder will out" was verified, and without knowing it, Mr. N- was carefully watched by a police-officer, who let his man go to Lyttelton, and then thought the time was come to act on behalf of outraged justice. Mr. N. had left the carriage, and was prepared to leave the station, when he was confronted by the said officer with the question, ''what about those ribs and broken legs?" But Mr. N. did not show the least nervousness; with the greatest nonchalance he replied, " Oh, they are about here somewhere," and made off to the luggage room, followed by the police officer. Pointing to the ribs and broken legs of a small Albion printing press, he said, " There they are!" The police officer was dumbfounded, and after eyeing more especially the broken leg, he turned away, no doubt disgusted at the zeal of the telegraphists who had put him on such a fool's errand.—Press News.