A COLONIAL LAD IN HIS TRAVELS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 185, 17 January 1877, Page 2

A COLONIAL LAD IN HIS TRAVELS.

A Loxnox contemporary staler ;—At Bow Struct Police Court, Inspector Baker of; the A Division. said a lad named Phillip Jones, aged 10, had been brought to the Kingstreet Police Station as being dcslil ate. It transpired that he had worked his way as a sailor from New Zealand to New York, from there to Liverpool, and then on to London. On arrival at the latter port he went to one of the so-called sailors’ homos, where he remained three weeks. As lie had no money they turned him away, and lie had wandered about the street until taken into custody, lie was now desirous of entering the British navy, but one obstacle stood in the way. By the* Admiralty Regulations it was necessary that, where anyone under 18 years of age wished to join lire navy, a declaration before the Magistrate mast be made by his parents or guardians to the effect that they were consenting parties to his so joining. In the present case the lad had neither parents nor guardians in England who could sign such a paper, and in consequence the navy would not have him. The lad, who was in Court, told his own story to the Magistrate. He said he was born in New ZealjJt where ho could get plenty of work to ogbut be thought lie would like to “see the world,” and so went for a sailor. He went about to dilfereut ports until he arrived in London. He went to the “ home,” and paid los, all the money he had, for one week’s board. He was taken ill, and had to remain two weeks more, for which lie was now indebted, and so they would not keep him any longer. When he left New Zealand he thought he should find work anywhere just as easily as there. He had found his mistake After some further statements the lad was sent to the workhouse for a few days, until the authorities had time to make inquiry into his case.