YOUNG MAN FROM THE COUNTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1099, 27 January 1912, Page 4

YOUNG MAN FROM THE COUNTRY.

AND CITY SHARPER.

The oft-told story of the young man from the country and the city sharper was repeated in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, before Dr. McArthur S.M., last week. A young farm labourer named Robert Buchele, a resident of Hawera, arrived in the city on the 30th December last on holiday. In his wanderings through the streets on New Year’s Day he met a young man named Henry Hay, and an invitation to partake of refreshment followed. The twain met again on the following day, and repaired to the Foresters’ Arms for more refreshment. Buchele had a big cheque, and paid all the time, Hay owning up to being penniless. After a jolly day, Hay and Buchele decided to sleep at the Foresters’ Arms, and a room was engaged for the night. On the following morning when Buchele awoke Hay had disappeared, and about £26 of Buchele’s money was also missing. The matter was reported to the police, and, after some investigations, Detective Andrews effected the arrest of Hay at Palmerston North two days later. Hay was perfectly frank with the detective, and stated that he had had a good time with the money. Hay pleaded guilty to the theft, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. In committing accused His Worship made some remarks about the foolishness of men who came to the city with big cheques and picked up with total strangers. He didn’t know which was the bigger fool, Hay or Buchele. Buchele had trusted a stranger, and Hay, as soon as he had got hold of the money, had rushed about the country distributing it with a lavish hand.