"YES! WE HAVE NO TOMATOES!"

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925, Page 8

"YES! WE HAVE NO TOMATOES!"

BUT PLENTY OF BEER.

LIQUOR DRUNK IX CEMETERY.

As the result of a queer birthday celebration held in the cemetery below Graf ton Bridge yesterday morning: two young men appeared at the Police Court this morning to answer charges of drunkenness, and with, stealing tomatoes valued at 1/6. By way of a prelude to the main evidence/Sergeant Rowell stated that Sylvester Sydney Piekett (22) and a eompauion (whose name the magistrate ordered to be suppressed) had a barrel of beer on the footpath near the Domain in Park Road and got drunk.

Margaret Hill, who keeps a fruit shop in Park Road, said that the two accused came into her shop. She could not understand what they were after and both were nudging each other. Then one of the accused purchased a packet of cigarettes. After they left she noticed that some tomatoes which/were in a glass dish had disappeared.

Evidence was given by the arresting constable that Piekett was staggering about. The other man was drunk also.

Pickett explained to the magistrate that he was on his way to seek a job yesterday, but when near Grafton Bridge he met a friend who was holding a "little birthday celebration." His friend had a five-gallon keg of ale, and all three adjourned to the cemetery under Grafton Bridge-

Piekett was then charged with having failed to comply with the terms and conditions of his release on probation. He. pleaded guilty to this, guilty to being drunk, but not guilty to stealing the tomatoes.

The Probation Officer (Mr. W. J. Campbell) said that Pickett was convicted of theft last August and was placed on probation for two years, besides having to make restitution of £0. A further restriction was imposed that he was to abstain from intoxicating liquor.

Pickett: This is the first time I have broken it, sir. I won't do it again if you give mc a chance now, sir.

Mr. Poynton: Oh! The next time you meet a man with a keg of beer you will. You have had your chance.

Piekett: Well, I've not been in hotels

Mr. Poynton: That does not make any difference. You were ordered to abstain from liquor.

Pickett was convicted and discharged on the drunkeness and theft charges and was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment for breach of probation. The other man was convicted on both charges and was ordered to pay 1/fi for the stolen tomatoes; also 10/' costs