APPROPRIATE PRESENT.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 725, 26 March 1853, Page 4

APPROPRIATE PRESENT.

[From “ Punch."] The annexed ia a little offering of respect and gratitude from the last ship load of convicts to Australia to the present head of the Home Office. Itis a beautiful work of art, representing the head or “nob” of a “cracksman,” made of pure gold from the Diggings, and bears the following inscription:— “To the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the time being, tbe grateful offering of 500 convicts, who, Laving left their country for their country’s good. Hare found it very much for their own good also. “To nil who wish to better themselves in life we can hold up our own example and say, ‘ Go thou and do likewise.’ ’’ The gift was accompanied with the following copy of verses, evidently the production of one of these unlettered and simple-minded men.— AVe wos lagged for various acts of prigsjin’. Ami in conseqvence was sent to the diggins’, Were we ’as the best o’ grub; And if so be we likes the vvashin’ tub, We can wash each man his bounce a day Wich is upards o’three pound, wich it aint bad pay; Whereas when at ’ome, a chap a? liked work, And warn’t regilarly on the priggin’ link, Vy, he couldn’t earn above two shillin’ Though he might be both strong and willin’; Wich shows he difference atween the old country, and this ere, So weep not for me, my comrades dear. My time is hup, my file you see. Then stay awhile and roller me Crack a crib as I done, and get fifteen year, And arter two they sends you out, with your ticket •’ leave clear Where you can either dig gold yourself like hus, Or if you dout like that, vy you can bone from them os docs; “(Signed) BILL SYKES, “his X mark.”