IRISH TIMES ODDITIES:AN ELABORATE HOAX: An elaborate hoax was perpetrated on a large section of the gentry of south Wexford as well as on the traders of Wexford town on Friday.
Invitations were sent through the post to landed gentry, professional gentlemen, and public officials, in the name of Capt Herries Crosbie RM, requesting the pleasure of their company at an entertainment to be given by him at his newly acquired residence, Barntown House, on Friday night.
In addition, orders were sent to leading business establishments in Wexford town for culinary and ballroom requisites, fruit, wines, and general supplies, for an entertainment on an exceptionally lavish scale. Notwithstanding the fact that the orders were written on postcards, the goods, which included a large amount of furniture and two tonnes of coal, were delivered. The practical jokers also ordered two waiters from a Dublin hotel, who arrived in due course.
The news of the hoax rapidly spread, when Capt Crosbie motored into Wexford on his return from New Ross Petty Sessions, and many who had intended to accept the invitations became aware of the circumstances. Some in outlying districts, however, drove or motored to Barntown House, where they first became aware of the hoax, and were hospitably entertained by Capt Crosbie. June 2nd, 1913
RESCUE DOGS DROP IN
Alpine rescue dogs have been dropped by special parachutes - which open automatically - for the first time during the weekend exercises, the Swiss Air-Mountain Rescue Service announced in Zurich. The dogs landed safely near men already on the ground and immediately began a practice search for people lost in the mountains or buried under avalanches. December 18th, 1955
AIR SMUGGLE
Paris police say that a gang of smugglers using aircraft has brought more than two tonnes of gold into France. November 5th, 1949
LADYBIRDS SWARM
Swarms of ladybirds descended on Yarmouth beaches yesterday, forcing many holidaymakers to leave in the brightest weather of the month. People said the sky was grey with millions of ladybirds until the swarms were cleared by a change in the wind. Bathing pool attendants had to fish them out of the water with nets and one road was said to be carpeted with bodies. August 17th, 1971
WALKED THROUGH WINDOW
A Pakistani passenger leaving the Pan-American airline offices in London yesterday mistook a window for an open space and walked into it and smashed it. Shaukat Abbasi (35), was taken to hospital suffering from shock and cuts to his face and hands. A spokesman for the London Plate Glass Merchants said. "A window that size would cost somewhere in the region of £500." August 8th, 1964
OLDEST TOURIST
John Cotterell (96), a Glasgow mirror manufacturer, has been feted by Sardinia's tourist office as the island's oldest tourist this year. August 8th, 1964
A MODERN HERMIT
There are hermits and hermits, even today. One exceptionally eccentric in his ways, Andrew Whitton, has died in Overgate, Dundee. He went to the city 19 years ago and took a room. From then until his death he never went out, nor would he permit a fire in his room, summer or winter. He never spoke to members of the household, but occupied his time copying in the names of persons into dozens of books.
He was also in possession of an album containing the portraits of ladies, whose features he would regularly study. He has left £800, which goes to the crown. May 2nd, 1903