RIP VAN WINKLE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 306, 10 December 1931, Page 5

RIP VAN WINKLE

POLICE COURT CASE. CHARGE MADE 19 YEARS AGO. On a spring day in the year of grace 1912, when men wore straw hats and still talked about the Boer War, an accusation of street betting was made at Sheffield Police Court. But it was only on October 26 of this year that the man accused 194 years ago was called on by the police to answer the charge A lot of things had happened in the meantime. For one thing the policeman who was to have given evidence retired on a pension nine years ago! The sad story was told when Horace Webster, of Sheffield, appeared at the local Police Court on a charge of street betting. It was explained thal the warrant was issued against him in May, 1912, for alleged gaining. The Court was told that for several reasons Webster could not remember he did not attend the Court when the ease was called in 1912. The warrant had never been executed, although, with the exception of a period of war service, he had been in Sheffield all the time. Webster pleaded not guilty, and was remanded in order lliat he might prepare Ins defence.