The residents of a certain seaside resort not many miles from Dunedin noticed that a party of three young girls were ''baching'' with a similar number of youths, and as one of the girls appeared to be under the age of 16, information was given to the police.
Investigation showed that the whole party were sleeping in the six bunks placed in one of the rooms, and that the girl referred to was under the age of 16.
There is no allegation of immoral relations, but the girls were at once taken back to their homes by the police. It is asserted that this incident is not by any means an isolated one.
• In some reminiscences of the ''Golden Coast'', in connection with the Westland jubilee, an old West Coaster tells the Wellington Post a characteristic story of Mr Seddon, who in early days owned a water-race, dam, and goldmining claim at Dillmanstown.
The Warden, on the application of 13 miners, declared the property abandoned, but Mr Seddon sturdily declined to give up his rights. He went to the dam, and awaited the arrival of the 13 new owners.
When they came he made this proposal: ''I will fight the lot of you, taking one a time, in the old style - five minutes' go-as-you-please, and one minute's spell.
''After I have knocked the first man out you will get another one ready. In the event of my beating you all you will allow me to get a renewal of my abandoned rights.''
This was agreed to, and their most formidable fighting man and Mr Seddon stripped off and faced each other. Just at the moment a bell-bird started its morning song, and Mr Seddon paused and said, ''Wait till that little fellow finishes.''
Immediately after the word ''Go!'' Mr Seddon was struck and knocked into the water, near which he was standing. On getting up he whispered to his friend, ''He can't strike a blow; I'm only playing with him.''
At the next encounter Mr Seddon struck his antagonist several terrific blows, one of which broke the man's arm.
Two of the others were speedily beaten, and it was then agreed that Mr Seddon should be allowed to retain his claim. Some of the men subsequently became Mr Seddon's strong personal friends and supporters.
• There was at least one ''welsher'' on the Methven racecourse on New Year's Day, and had he not suddenly cleared out on a motorcycle the chances are that he would have got himself into serious trouble.
As it was, he got clear away with dividends which he was morally, if not legally, entitled to hand over to those who had made bets with him (says the Christchurch Press).
Another individual left the course without meeting his engagements, and hurriedly making his way to the railway station, sought refuge in a railway carriage.
- ODT, 6.1.1914.
