A BLACK IRISHMAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4488, 7 August 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

A BLACK IRISHMAN.

Some of the Australian aborigines are sharp fellows (says the Bovhhampton Bulletin), and a little education is alone requisite to put their cerebral machinery in motion. Native-trooper Hogan, of Rockhampton, may be mentioned as a specimen. He speaks I'lnglish well, and can even, it is said, write his own name, with or without a pen, a bit of stick answering the purpose admirably. He is fond of sight-seeing and “gammon;” and went the other day to the immigration depot, to have a look at the new arrivals. “What countryman are you 2” he asked, addressing one of a group of admirers, which had never soon a black trooper before. “An Irishman,” was the reply. “I’m a Dublin man myself,” said Hogan, “ and begorra ! I think you are from Tipperary, from your talk !” The immigrants were taken aback. “ Lord save us, Dan !” exclaimed one, “ look how the country has changed a countryman of ours.” Dan, a little more knowing, asked the trooper it there were many more like him in Ireland. “Not many,” replied Hogan, with imperturbable gravity, “ the blacks have nearly all died out there ; I'm about one of the last.” And he proceeded to put the “ new chums ” up to a wrinkle or two in the liuc of colonial experience.