Barney Barnato.

Manawatu Herald, 22 March 1898, Page 2

Barney Barnato.

« — In the memoir of Barney Barnato by Mr H. Eayinond (Isbister & Oo), just published, many instances are given of the marvellous 'cute* ness Barney brought to bear on business. In the early days at the diamond fields, Barney and a partner, named Louis Cohen, were in low water. Mr Cohen says : — There was one man then, a diamond buyer in a comparatively large way, and constant rounds, riding an old yellow, rather lame pony. We tried to follow him several times to see which way he went, and who among the wilderness of tents, huts, and debris he called on, but without avail. A few days later, Barney xaine to me in great glee. "I know what we have to do to get 's customers. I've seen him come back from his rouud three days running, and he always stops first at Hall's canteen. Mind this, however. He does not guide the pony to that place, but just sits still all the while with, loose rein, and the pony stops of his own accord. Now it is my firm conviction that all day long he rides just the same way and that the pony knows all the stopping places. I've known this for some days, but ifc didn't help so long as he had the pony ; to day he has some other beast he likes better, and he wants to sell his whole present outfit." I agreed, we bought that old worn-out yellow pony and its bridle for £27 103 and with it the man's whole connection, for the morning after the purchase Barnato started out early, and the pony without trouble took him in and out among debris heaps to every one that chap had been in the habit of calling on. The man little thought that with the pony he had sold the list of his customers.