FROM THE WATCH TOWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 881, 27 January 1930, Page 8

FROM THE WATCH TOWER

By “THE LOOK-OUT MAN.” CHANGED WAYS "Both were drunk and they started to eat a crayfish in a bus running to Avondale.”—Sub-Inspector McCarthy in prosecuting two men at the City Police Court. There was a time when solemn custom That any cheery toper bringing crayfish home for tea, Should take the creature by the claw, escort it from the bar, And treat it with decorum in a crowded trolley-car. The “cray” was ’introduced all round in phrases thick but neat, (At times its owner “raised the wind” and purchased it a seat). Some folks were simply horrified, but some enjoyed the play, As fish and human fraternised along the homeward way. Today, alas, our revellers betray the common touch; “A fish is just a blinkin’ fish; so treat it (hie) as such.” Instead of being petted with a ceremonial fuss The “cray” is eaten rudely in a lurching motor-bus. DOUGHBOY. * * * FASHIONS IN CRIME Tunnelling seems to be the present vogue in house-breaking circles. Recently a mysterious tunnel was found In a German cemetery but, when the police arrived, the burrowers had decamped. Now a Wellington drapery shop has been entered, with felonous intent, via a tunnel. America, as usual, can produce an overwhelming crop of examples culled from the recent past Under the Colorado State Penitentiary was discovered a 10-foot tunnel In which were sledge-hammers, drills, crowbars, and powder. A search of the prison revealed hundreds of daggers, clubs, saws, and knives in the possession of the prisoners. A similar plot was frustrated recently at Sing-Sing, and a like fate befell one at Atlanta. • * « ARCH-IMPOSTER The Atlanta Penitentiary, by the way, houses the man whose knavery or, rather, its detection, made Sir Phillip Gibbs famous in the world of journalism. Dr. Frederick Cook was a famous North Pole "explorer” returning in triumph after a successful trek to the top of the world when he was met by a slight and rather nervous young man who explained that he represented a London paper. Gibbs got his interview, but it was not the sort of interview Cook wanted, for it accused him of never having visited the pole at all. Gibbs had slender evidence to go upon but, despite tremendous opposition, he proved his case, and Cook slunk to America, a discredited man. Later he reappeared as a seller of "blue sky” stock, and these swindles landed him In Atlanta. He Is said to be a well-behaved prisoner, and one of the few who took no part in the recent riot. OLD BAILEY Old Bailey, where the suave and swindling Hatry and his associates met their deserts on Saturday, still holds an unchallenged place as the historic stage for tense dramas of real life. Drury Lane in all Its colourful history has never been able to compete in depth of interest and emotion or in power of climax with the aged, sombre building known officially as the Central Criminal Court in Old Bailey, the London thoroughfare. There the ghosts of great men stand behind Bench and Bar; legal history is made; and there great trials have begun and ended. The name of the court, which stands on the site of the famous Newgate Prison, opposite the equally famous or infamous gallows and whipping post, is derived from the old court of the city chamberlain and the Gallium cr outer space near the wall at Ludgate. In having Old Bailey as the scene of his last “deal” Hatry becomes one of a distinguished rogues’ company. * * * A POLICY PUZZLE Does execution for murder constitute “accidental death” as the term •applies to personal Insurance policies? This puzzle is at present being solved by a Chicago court. The relatives of Harry Diamond, an executed murderer, have discovered that he was heavily Insured against accidental death, and are claiming the amount on the grounds that, as Diamond did everything possible to prevent the death penalty, his demise must have been, to him, accidental. The insurance company argues’ that as Diamond confessed to the murder there was no accident about the subsequent happenings. The question seems to be, did Diamond anticipate that hanging would follow his confession? Seemingly not, for he did his legal best to save his skin. Failing the production of evidence to show that he virtually committed suicide in an elaborate and exceedingly costly attempt t» swindle the insurance company, it appears highly likely that his relatives will win the case. This being so, insurance companies will find it necessary to legislate for the possible existence of murderous propensities among their clientele.