A COLONIAL LAD IN HIS TRAVELS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 63, 23 February 1877, Page 3

A COLONIAL LAD IN HIS TRAVELS.

A London contemporary states: —At Bow Street Police Court, .Inspector Baker of the, A Division, said a lad named Phillip Jones, aged 16, had been brought to the King-street Police Station as being destitute. It transpired that he had worked his way as a sailor from New Zealand to New York, from there to Liverpool, and then on to London. On arrival at the latter port he went to one of the so-called sailors' homes, where he remained three weeks. As he had no money they turned him away, and he had wandered about the street until taken into custody. He was now desirous of entering the British navy, but one obstacle stood in his way. By the Admiralty's Regulations it was necessary that, where anyone under 18 years of age wished to join the navy, a declaration before a Magistrate must be made by his parents or guardians to the effect that they were consenting parties to his so joining. In the present case the lad had neither parents or guardians in England who could sign such a paper, and in consequence the navy would not have him. The lad, who was in Court, told his own story to the Magistrate. He said he was born in New Zealand, where he could get plenty t of work to do, but he thought he would like to " see the world," and bo went for a sailor. He went about to different ports until he arrived in London. He Went to the '" home," and paid 15s, all the money he had, for one week's board, He was taken ill. and had to remain two weeks more, for which he Waa now indebted,

and so they would not keep him any longer. When he left New Zealand he thought he should find work anywhere just as easily as there. He had found his mistake After some further statements the lad was sent to the work-house for a few days, until the authorities had time to make inquiry into hig case,