"WHAT ABOUT THOSE BIBS AND BROKEN LEGS?"

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 59, 3 January 1877, Page 2

"WHAT ABOUT THOSE BIBS AND BROKEN LEGS?"

An amusing, but to the parties concerned somewhat unpleasant story reaches us from a Northern correspondent, in whose statement we bare the most implicit confidence :— Mr N., a gentleman who for many years, both in this oolony and in New South Wales, has been an active member of the fourth estate, recently had occasion to visit Timaru upo^ ordinary business with another gentleman of the craft, who held a responsible position in Timaru. On returning it appears tbat Mr _T. took the train forChnstchurch and Lyttelton, intending then to take his departure for tbe North by the first opportunity. While in Christchurch, however, a telegram was received which awakened grave suspicions of a murderous deed in the minds of the telegmphie, authorities ; and they irith commendable alacrity, appear to haw cp^mjraicated its contents, which ran as follows, to tike police :— " Timaru, 9.3D ij_--Fo-cWir,ed ribs and broken leg to Lyttelton —morning's train." The sender little thought that he was placing Mr N., and probably himself nnder the mrreillance of tiie police ; but the truis* " murder will oat," 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 ontriged justice; Mr N. had left the carriage, and was preptring to leave the station, when he was confronted by the said officer with the question, "what about those ribs and broken lees ? " But Mr N. did not show the least nervousness ; with tbe greatest nonchalance he replied, "Ob, they are about here somewhere,'* and mad&off to the luggage room, followed by the police officer, i Pointing to the ribs tod brokeo legs of a small Albion printing press, he said, "There they art»!» The police officer was dumbfoundered, and after eyeing, more especially the broken leg, he turned away, no doubt disgusted at the -seal of the telegraphists who had put him on such a fool's errand.-pRrMg jfews.