MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 323, 24 November 1879, Page 2

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Mr Baron Huddleston told the following story at the Flintshire Assizes, whore a question of identity rose on a charge of horse-stealing. We ought always to be very careful (said His Lordship) in cases of this kind, because mistakes might be made by the most well meaning persons. When I was on the Oxford circuit there was a friend of mine at the bar who went on a fishing excursion in the Principality. He had a horse with him, and during the day he took it to an inn in a town to bait. Meanwhile he walked down the street

quietly, inspecting the shops. He was closely followed by an inspector of police, and all at once he found himself the object _of attention at the hands of the official, After walking after him a good way down the town, the officer at last went up to him and said, "It's no use your making any nonsense about it. You are Flash Bill."-(Laughter.) The member of the bar and of the Oxford Circuit was horrified, but the police officer said, " It's no use; I know you perfectly well," and he pulled out a Police Gazette, which, lam bound to say, fully justified the officer in suspecting him. "And," he added, " there is the very horse you have stolen up at the stable."—(Laughter.) It was with the greatest difficulty that he was taken before a magistrate that day. He always mentions the story with great gratitude to the magistrate, who was induced to leave his dinner. He thought first he had better be remanded for a few days, to get witnesses, but ultimately did leave his dinner, and he was convinced by the earnestness of the gentleman that the policeman had made a mistake. The next train brought his friends to the neighborhood, and they satisfied the magistrate that there was a mistake, To this day the gentleman tells the story. He now holds the position of Deputy-Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and he says he has occupied every position in the Court—he has been a juryman, a judge, a witness, and a prisoner.—(Laughter.)