THE NUNAWADING IMPOSTOR

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 867, 28 September 1871, Page 3

THE NUNAWADING IMPOSTOR

The " Australasian " says :-~lf it is sometimes pleasant to see " the engineer hoisted With his own petard," it is not less so to witness the duper duped. Fisher, the NunaWading impostor, seems to have been imposed upon by men who were sharper than himself, to the same extent as he imposed on others > and the story of the deceptions to which he fell a victim is as diverting as the delusion of Sir Epicure Mammon in the "Alcliymist." One Levine is reported to have waited Upon him as a delegate from the G rand Lodgre of Freemasons in Denmark, exhibiting as his credentials a sheet of parchment covered with hieroglyphics, and having a couple of big seals attached to it. The Danish Masons-, it was represented, wanted to make Fisher the head of their order and id present him with their accumulated treasures. A box of specie was already en route, and the fortunate man must prepare for the proffered dignity by undergoing the ceremony of initiation. This was performed at Prahran; and Fisher Was induced to disburse £lO for the purchase of a big gilt star, which Levine undertook to procure. A large seal was likewise obtained,.and for this Fisher provided the money. Numerous miniature trowels were bought wholesale at 8d each, and disposed of retail at Gs to the postulants. Levine is then described as inviting'a friend to come and " see a lark," this irreverent epithet being applied to the solemn initiation of the Most Excellent Grand Master of the Freemasons of Denmark. The friend accepted the invitation, and the spectacle which met bis eyes upon being led into the room where the ceremony was performed! must have been immensely grotesque. " There was Fisher," he says, "standing at the head of the table, clothed all in white, having his star on, and a great red sash across him, to denote him the lamb which was siain. Around him were Joiner and Jobbins. and all the apostles clad in white robes like nightgowns. The table was covered with all sorts of strange tin things, and every man had his little trowel. Levine made Masons of them all with a lot of tomfoolery. He put an awful oath on Fisher, just as a matter of form. After the ceremonial, Fisher began to inquire about the treasure." Of course, the treasure never turned up, although a " property " casket was fabricated out of an old gin case to represent it.