Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 193, 15 August 1874, Page 2

ißgles writes in the Austtalasian:-~ ♦' That," said a friend, of a passer-by, "is the blue-blanket magistrate." I had never heard of that kind of magistrate before, and sought an explanation. It appears that when ihe gentleman enjoying this titular distinction first sat upon the bench, a man was brought before them charged with stealing a pair of blue blankets. Toe evidence was clear against tbe accused, and he uneasily awailel the decision of the/ Bench. The magistrate leant over and obtained from the clerk of the court a copy of Plunket, and devoted some time to a careful examination of they volame. " Prisoner at the bar," M said at length, "yon are a very Jucßy fellow; I can find no mention of a penalty for stealing blue blankets in the law: books. You" are. v discharged without a stain upon your character."