THE ARGUS "VAGABOND."

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2618, 30 May 1877, Page 3

THE ARGUS "VAGABOND."

The Age thus writes :—"Mr Thomas, otherwise known as the,' Vagabond ' of a Collins street new.spaper, and who has written certain articles on the Pentridge Stockade, to-day visited that gaol in company with some female friends. The officials were evidently under the impression that a critic was visiting the establishment with a view of refreshing his memory, but little expected that the sage man who, after a month's experience in the department must have been fully aware of the regulations, would incur the risk of being confined in thelocal lock-up for a breach of the Act. On going through the C division Mr Thomas was detected in the act of passing a fig of tobacco to one. of the prisoners. Warder Angus, who perhaps recognised an old acquaintance, was not napping, and he immediately reported the matter to the officer of the division, and the visitor found on applying at the gate for exit that he was detained pending instructions. The Acting Inspector-General, Mr Call, happened to be on the station at the time, and, strange as it may appear, an order was at once sent to allow Mr Thomas to pass out. The officials said nothing, of course, but obeyed. Hitherto persons introducing prohibited articles to prisoners have been handed over at once to the police. It is rumored, however, that proceedings will be taken against Mr Thomas. It may be mentioned that the man named Nolan paid £10 into court on Wednesday, at Brunswick, for his son's folly in attempting to plant tobacco on the works, a less grave offence than handing it to the prisoners confined in the interior of the establishment. • ' -