"THE MAN WHKO STAYED AT HOME.”

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 120, 22 May 1916, Page 3

"THE MAN WHKO STAYED AT HOME.”

BUT SLEPT OUT AT NIGHT

SECRET SERVICE AGENT IN AUCKLAND.

A constable on duty in Beach Road Auckland yesterday tumbled unaware on a self styled scion of the British nobility and agent of the British Secret Service. This proud patrician genealogy the constable did not, however, recognise. He saw only a short, unshaven, tubby man sleeping at 11 p.m. on the floor of one of the City Council’s tool house a place where the man had no right to be, and lie arrested the tubby little man on a charge of being unlawfully by night on private promises. Although the man signed his name with a flourish “Right Honourable Frederick Smith. ’ the democratic policeman still declined to recognise the bine blood of his prisoner, and entered on the charge sheet: “Frederick Smith, 57 years, rouge and vagabond in that etc.

When the man was brought before Air F. A". Fraor, S.M., to-day.. Senior sergeant Rutledge stated tat the prisoner was eccentric and had written a letter impugning the loyalty of Sir Joseph Ward. Rt Hon AY. F. Massey and others, declaring that lie was acting on the instructions of the British Secret Service Corps.

“I am an honorary active member of the British Secret Service.’’ declared Smith, “and am only staying here waiting for orders —• for a command from headquarters. T have been at the Bank of New Zealand asd the Bank of Australia for a month. ’ ’

The senior-sergeant suggested medical observation, and his AVorship, humon ring the prisoner, told him that it would be no use a man undertaking active secret service unless his health was quite right, and he had better wait for a week’s medical treatment.

AA’ith lordly indifference the Right Honourable acquiesced, and he was remanded for a week ’s medical treatment and observation.

“AVill you permit me to go down and got my insignia of office V’ Smith requested prior to being led away. He was informed that the police would attend to that.