The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-10-06

criminately American and Australian
flags. The best singers, fine chorus,
and orchestra were provided, and the
crowd of citizens which attended was
so great that hundreds were turned
away.
Another act or special courtesy on
the part of the government was the
authorized acceptance of American
money without exchange.
This led to some confusion on both
sides, satisfactory arrangements being
always made finally. The struggles of
the newsboys who visited the ships with
the unfamiliar dimes and nickels is thus
related by the Sydney Herald:
GA large consignment of the morn
ing newspapers was conveyed to the
battleships at daybrealz yesterday, and
to use the words of one of the news.
boys, 'They sold like hot cakes Ev-
eryone on board was anxious to get a
copy to send to their friends in Amer.
lea, and there were inquiries on all
sides for stamps
"One of the newsboys subsequently
gave his impression of the mornings
trade: They re boshter blokes, those
fellows he said. They've all got
plenty of money, too. Why, sold out
my lot of papers-betwee 400 and 500
lin no time. They went off like hot
cakes, and l got nce-halfpenny for
nearly every one of them.
"'It was like this, yer see. TIL
steamer left Circular at with IS of us
on board-one for each ship. We each
had 500 papers, and we sold them ALL
Look here, he added, pulling out a
handful of American coins, mostly FIVE
cents, or nickels, as they are termed
in the United States, this is what
they gave us, one for each paper. They
wouldn't take any change. They re
real toffs, 1 promise yer. Some Of 'om
had sovereigns, too. They call them
gold Slts. One bloke says, Have you
got change of gold bita' "Have l
whatf' l says. Fancy asking me for
paid me in American coin, but it was
for change-don like them bit. 1t
do all right. They wanted stamps, too.
After I d sold about 200 papers on
: deck they told me to go down below.
One fellow offered to mind half my
} papers while | went down below with
|
gave me handful o. nickels and says
they'd all gone
mother newsboy of 10 or IL was
: selling papers on the Circular Quay yes
terday afternoon, when one of the sail
ors came up to purchase a paper. He
rendered nickel. The youngster look.
ed ct the coin and looked at the man,
and then remarked ''Here, what IS
lnt ., all \
the sailor. "American moneys good
anywhere now" "Haven't you got a
penny, misterl" asked the boy. He
was ab3ut to return the nickel when
a bystander told him that he could safe.
: ly take the coin. Glow much is it
WORTH" said the boy, still sceptical
Here again another difficulty arose, for
the stranger was unable to advise.
However, after a lot of talk the value
was fixed at twopence, and the boy pro.
ceeded to hand over penny change
The sailor good-naturedly remarked
cit is all right, sonny; these are no
/ good to me. / don't understand these
coins of yours
4 The refusal caused another doubt in
the boys mind. AS the sailor left he
2 looked at the coin and then called one
. has got lot of crook money. Did
. you get anyf" he said.
"Garn," said the other, who was a
5 year or two older. "What did he give
l youi'
. "a thing like sprat," said the
younger boy showing the nickel.
"That's all right" said the big boy
"That s an American dollar. 1t IS worth
about a sprat. If you don u like the
next bloke pass him over to me.''
The following incident, also related
by the Herald, shows that the trouble
was not all on one side:
: AN American seaman strolled into
one of the police stations the other
night. His track was sinuous, his
balance doubtful. He carried his lug
gage in his jumper. "Sa-a.y," he
drawled, 81 want to know about your
buggy fares. Haow much is a paound
and half paound'' He pulled n
long stuffed stocking-purse cut of his
: jumper, emptied gold and silver on the
table, and pointed out the coins, "Thir.
ty shillings,' said the constable in
charge. "Like these. How far did he
drive you for that2" "Abaout n block
and a-half, T" said the sailor. at seems
lot of money, but don It care if it's
anywhere near" "You paid him about
thirty times too much" remarked the
constable. The seaman considered the
matter. Then he said: eff / ever meet
l that buggy driver, IN make him wish
Amurrica was never discovered. That Is
dead sure thing" After some con.
: versation Jack was offered shakedown
in the station. "Naow that's friend
ly offer" he said, "and So" he
rummaged in his jumper again and fin
ally discovered a whisky bottle, nearly
full. A corkscrew failing he knocked
the head off with neat light tap, but
in presenting it with shaky hand it fell
and smashed. Jack surveyed the ruins
and smelt the odor in thoughtful
. silence. "Perhaps it's all for good
he remarked at last. "It'll make less
trouble there than where it would have
{ gone; that Is sure" "But there =
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