HERE AND THERE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 17, 20 September 1913, Page 5

HERE AND THERE.

OUR AUSTRAL!AN FILES.

PITCAIRN ISLAND VISITED.

Pitcairn Island, of Bounty Mutiny fame, a lonely spot in the Pacific, was visited by the steamer Inverbervie, which arrived at Sydney on Wednesday, 10th inst., on her voyage from Antofagasta, South America. A boat manned by the islanders put off to the steamer and supplied the captain with fresh fruit, fish and vegetables. The islanders reported all well on the island. A mail for England was brought away by the Inverbervie, including a letter addressed to his Majesty King George. Pitcairn Island enjoys a lovely climate; its mountainous surface reaches 1008 ft. in Outlook Ridge. The soil is fertile, and produces yams, cocoanuts, bread fruit, sweet potatoes, bananas, etc. The people hear a high character for virtue, contentedness, and uprightness, and choose their own pastor and magistrate.

THE UNBELIEVER.

During the taking of evidence in Sydney at the Wages Board, which is inquiring into the demands made In the wharf laborers, a witness refused to he sworn upon the Bible. He explained that he had no faith in God. “But, surely,” exclaimed the chairman of the board, in surprise, “yoi believe in God.” “I don’t know who he is,” was the unexpected reply. “> haven’t seen Him, and so won t believe in Him.” At a later stage in the proceedings, the same witness, while under cross-examination, said that hd had held Ids present conviction since he had been a small hoy, and the older he grew the more convinced he became that there was nr God. During his evidence he remarked that he always dodged working in “dangerous” places. “Because you’re too frightened to die,” sharply interjected counsel. “No; because I want to enjoy this life as long as I can. There’s no hereafter, so I’m going tr look after myself while I am alive,” was the self-assured reply.

TALE OF A CHEQUE.

Perth, September 12

A peculiar cheque case was before the Police Court to-day. William Haydock, traveller, employed by Millar , c Timber Co., last week presented as open cheque for £9 17s 6d at tin Western Australian Bank. The cheque had been dropped in the street half ar hour before by a messenger taking b to the bank, and payment had been stopped. Haydock told the detecth 1 before arrest that a racecourse “whisperer” named, Edwards had given bin the cheque in payment for £lO. Hay dock did not know where Edwardslived, or know anybody who knew him. He lent the £lO because-Edwards had given him two good winners at tinraces. The Police Magistrate utterly declined to believe Haydock’s story, and fined him £lO Is.

PRACTICAL JOKERS FINED.

Two lads of about 18 years of age came in for a heavy fine and some good advice at the last sessions of the Inverell Police Court. The lads weie Edward Charles Bartley and Frederick Moffat, of Mount Russell, neai Inverell, and they were charged wit! maliciously damaging personal, pro ■ierty on Ai gust 30. The police consented to reduce the charge to this form from a much more serious one.

They .played a practical joke on anI other young fellow, who was visit ing a neighbouring farmer’s place, In shearing all the long hair from tin mane,.tail, and fetlocks of his horse and then smearing both the horse and the saddle with tar. Both pleaded guilty, and the police asked for ; heavy penalty. Counsel for the de fendants argued that the matter war only a joke carried too far. The lad: were most respectable, and had already made reparation amounting t f £l3, besides having spent a day an; a night in gaol. The magistrate re marked that the lads could considei themselves very lucky. The chargf had been reudeed or they’ would un doubtedly have been committed f?) trial. Their action was cowardly am blackguardly, and he hoped their experience would be a lesson to them.