MR. PETERKIN'S HAT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2461, 14 May 1915, Page 7

MR. PETERKIN'S HAT

AND HOW HE LOST IT.

Funds for patriotic purposes was the immediate business of the Masonic conVmimication yesterday morning, when •i n' Peterkin, Wellington Provincial Grand Master, proposed that as many had no cheques or money in bulk lie would pass round the hat. Thereupon Mr. Peterkin sent for his hat, a light grey belltoppei', which has become part and parcel of his make-up this many years. The hat was passed round with many a joke, and when finally handed in it contained a sum of £44. Then someone suggested that "Peterkin's tile" should bo sold by auction, and the genial owner, nothing loath, was the first to commence the sale. After ho had becoinc exhausted taking bids, a bright suggestion was made by a crafty craftsman —that members should be allowed to autograph "the old chimney-pot," but should pay £1 for the privilege uf doing so. The idea caught on, pens and pound-notes wore produced, snid tho hat was soon scrawled in all hands-at eery possiblo angle, but Mr. Peterkin lir-ver stopped smiling. The end was ■ that over £1(10 was raised on the gro.v belltopppr, which was finally purchased by the Scinde Lodge, Napier, for £2b. _ At the conclusion of the communication, Mr. Peterkin, now hatless, was seen interviewing the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke), who was busy receiving and packing wearing apparel for the Dominion's defenders, and the last glimpse caught of him was when he was pursuing his way to Manners Street wearing a. woollen balaclava cap—and still smiling