THE JUBILEE PLUNGER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2558, 1 December 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE JUBILEE PLUNGER.

His Career in New Zealand.

Ix the London correspondent's "Jottings from Home," published in the Christchurch Press, appeared an account of the melancholy downfall of Mr E. Benzon, the young gentleman otherwise known as "The Jubilee Plunder," who has just managed to run through a fortune of £300,000 in a couple of years. It may be news to some people to learn that this now celebrated individual favoured New Zealand with a visit in the year 18S4. He was then under age, and in charge of a tutor, but still managed to create some sensation by his lavish expenditure during his tour through the colony. After leaving Dunedin he stayed for some time at Timaru, where be and his tandem for some time formed one of the sights of the place. There was a good deal of gossip about his fondness for betting aud card-playing, neither of which appeared to be attended by distinguished success. It is said that in London he raised £700 on the strength of a note of hand for £3000, to be paid on his coming of ago, and the money ivas no doubt duly paid over. Still considering the risk of taking such a document from a minor, and the possibility that lie might not have lived to come of age, the friend in need who advanced the money no doubt thought he was not charging an excessive figure for the accommodation. Mr Benzon was wellknown also in Christchurch during his brief career in Canterbury, and provod a very profitable mark to some of the bookmakers from his erratic method of backing horses. In Wellington, during the Exhibition of 1885, he was one of the features of the show. Hie taste in apparel was something remarkable as to combination of hues, and he made what painters call quite a " bit of colour "in the avenue during his stay in the capital city. He was a rather slight dark young man, with a Jewish cast of countenance. In Wellington he was rather the rage, particularly among the young ladies, detachments of whom he used to escort round the Exhibition durinjr the afternoon. In appearance he was somewhat loud, and decidedly horsey. In Christchurch he had some pecuniary troubles, as he had a good deal of paper afloat in the shape of bills, but these were ultimately alt met on his coming into the fortune of which he has since made ducks and dralies.