A MISSING BOTTLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10685, 3 September 1920, Page 2

A MISSING BOTTLE

HAPPENING IN A CITY HOTEL.

At two o'clock last Wednesday afternoon some men went into the Central Hotel and called for drinks, among which was "a- whisky."_ The barmaid placed a bottle of whisky on. the counter, but on turning round found that it had disappeared. As a result of the disappearance Leslie James Batchelor was charged before Messrs I. Salek and D. Keir yesterday in the Magistrate's Court. It was explained that on the disappearance of the bottle an alarm was raised and the police called in. On intimating that they intended to search all present in the bar, the accused produced •Qie bottle and; remarked that he had "taken it for a joke." . - For the defence it was stated that accused had no intention" of stealing the whiskv, because he had xiot left the hotel 'immediately, and the bottle was quite perceptible as, it protruded from his pocket. _ _ After hearing the evidence, Their Worships said it •was evident that accused had attempted to steal the whisky, and imposed a fine of £3 and 6s costs. Sub-Inspector Enierson appeared for the prosecution and Mr J.. F- B. Stevenson for the accused.