WHAT'S IN A NAME.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 242, 19 September 1872, Page 5

WHAT'S IN A NAME.

The following is from the Greymouth Evcn'ng Star. — " There happened to be three commercial travellers in Gre^ mouth last ( week, bearing the namos of Coote, Coatea, and Coate. The similarity of sound in the three names caused no little confusion in one or two quarters. At the hotel at whioh the three happened to stay for a few days, in order to designate each by a distinguishing description, the first was entered on arrival as T. Cooto, being the signification of Traveller Ooote ; the second, having given his name' in what appeared to ha a similar pronunciation, was entered in the hotel journal Taller Coote ; and the third, being of medium stature as compared with -the other two, and the manager of the establishment "being at a loss for a particular cognomen,. he was desiguated by the name of Te Kooti. A letter was left far the me making an appointment at four o'clock, which happened to be handed to the gentleman ready to execute an order to any amount in the dry goods line, and not until his samples of drugs and chemica's were asked for, of which he had none, was the error explained. On two of the three Staking their departure, each asked for his bill at different intervals. The first, who had done seven days' location, and who seemed so pleased with the small amount of his account, had just expressed himself as fully satisfied with the accommodation and the prices, in assurance of which he had pledged himself with the landlord in something hot before starting. The second, who had been similarly located for a shorter period soon entered, and was heard referring to his fourteen' yeara' experience, and never during the course of that time did he remember sucb exorbitance. The mistake was thereupon discovered, and to the discomfiture of Iho first-mentioned, the relative positions of the two men were changed, as was also another five pound note._ The last person seen with them was the driver of the coach, who was enquiring, with way bill in hand, 'Are you two gentlemen the same rame.' It is to be hoped, before reaching Hokitika, neither mistook his own identity.