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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 396, 11 June 1908, Page 4

One of the inmates of the Salvation Army Inebriates’ Home, who appeared at the Auckland Police Court, says the Herald, charged with committing a breach of the regulations, was Harry Thomas, committed from Wellington, who described himself as a gardener. “I came to this country as a tourist,” he said, 11 and have spent a lot of money.” He protested strongly against the interference with his individual liberty in being committed to this home tor twelve months. “ This is a democratic country, they claim,” he said- ‘‘Democratic! Why it is Russia!” ‘‘‘What country,do you come from?” inquired Mr Kettle, the presiding magistrate. “England,” was the reply. “ With all its aristocracy it is the freest country in the world.” Thomas also stated that when the Governor visited the island on Saturday last, he (Thomas) requested his early release ; and the Governor promised to give the matter consideration. He declared that once he got out he would leave the country. “I am not a Salvation Army admirer,” he said. “Well, I am,” retorted Mr Kettle, “and am proud to say it. I have the highest esteem and affection for them,” and he proceeded to refer to the good work done by the Army in taking charge of and reforming the fallen who appeared in the Police Courts.

It has (remarks the Sydney Morning Herald) long been recognised that anything is possible in a democracy, or in the South Sea Islands, and each mail still brings vivid descriptions of exciting scenes and thrilling tales of adventure. The latest story is one concerning a shark of gigantic dimensions, and a trio of unsuspecting natives. In the course of a letter, brought by the German steamer Tangeog, which reached Brisbane recently, a prominent resident of New Britain tells his friends in Sydney that a few weeks ago a party of Germans succeeded with great difficulty in capturing a shark measuring 33ft in Matupi harbour. The monster was eventually landed on the beach, and the entire population turned out to witness the operation of dissection. A cry of horror rent the air when the well-preserved bodies of three ad'ult natives were extracted from the interior of the huge fish, and the women fled. It is declared that the shark swallowed the men whole : —probably one at a time.