Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 434, 13 May 1899, Page 2 (Supplement)

For Bronchial Coughs take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d and '2. 6d. The San Francisco Police have a unique task on hand just now. They are engaged in breaking up what is known as the "Moochers' C'ub" —an organisation founded for the purpose of creating a monopoly in vhe interesting business of begging. The club is said to have been founded upon thoroughly orthodox trade union principles. Membership was strictly limited by the pto motors to able-bodied and active mendicants, ru'es were carefully drawn up, fees were fixed for the payment of officers, and an attorney well knows in the city was retained to defend member* in the event of arrest. One of the regulations provided that any member trespassing on the begging ground allotted to a fellow ~M oo"her" should be summarily expelled from the club. The "Moochers" have been in the habit of meeting twice daily. In the early morning they assembled on different corners at the junction of several streets, there to await the assignment of " beats " by officials known as " despatches." The second meeting was a happy combination of business and pleasure. It took place each evening in a saloon in Mission street, and here, over tobacco and drinks, the gang drew out the schedule of streets to bo " worked " tin following day. The most careful attention was devoted to the schedule, which had to be changed daily in order that the police might be evaded. So much tim« did the task occupy that, according to the admission of the s*loou proprietor, the average " moocher" consumed at a s ; ngle sitting from two to five dollars in liquid refreshments. It was this extravagance which prompted the police to devote a little attention to the ingenious " modellers," whom they had not much difficulty in connecting with a number of petty robberies in various parts of 'Frisco. A weak-kneed member disw..ed some valuable club secrets, and now most ot the leading lights of this strange order are reflecting upon a short but merry existence within the grim walls of the city gaol.