PURNELL'S POACHINGS

NZ Truth, Issue 508, 13 March 1915, Page 4

PURNELL'S POACHINGS

Whisks Away Some "Whusky"

Cargo-broacher Gets a Chance

Liquor Looked on as Fitfr game.

A wharf laborer, Alfred C. Purnell. defended by Lawyer Lundon, pleaded not guilty last week, when charged before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Auckland Magistrate's Court, with the theft of, a bottle of whisky from the. S.s. Rosamond on February 12. . -, Detective Scott prosecuted. • Philip Bryan Cook, a shipping clerk, gave" evidence .to the effect that whisky was: shipped on the boat that day.' Joseph Downing, wharf laborer, said . that on the 12th~he, Purnell, a man '; named Walker, and three, other men WERE WORKING T»B HOLD. 1 Amongst the oat-go received were sev- \ eral oases of whisky and witness noticed that one had been broken. A • little later he saw Purnell put a bottle I oi whisky, or, at least, the straw case '■■ m which the whisky bottles, were 1 packed, on a "wing," and so far as wlt--1 ness knew there was a bottle there. The broken case had been handed to Purnell, who later asked witness if he drank. Witness "replied, "I do have a drink occasionally," but nothing else 1 passed between them. Lawyer Lundon: How long have you been ,worklng on the Tvharf ?.— About eight years. Tou have had experience of broken cases?— r don't know that I have. ■ Well, you have often seen cases bro-' ' ken When being put on board?— Yes, sometimes. You say he asked you if you drank? —Yes.: ' •'■'■■■■■ ' • Is that all that was A said between you about whisky?:— Yes. Just think a moment?— Oh, when he and I were together at the tram terminus, at the foot of Queen-street, he asked me if I would , ' LIKE A DRINK QF WHISKY, and I said if he had any he could bring me a drink next day.. Just a moment ago you said he asked if you drank?— Yes, but that was while we were working In the hold. ,You did npt ace him pick up the bottle when you were knocking off ?-r-No. You have had some experience of 'the police force?— -That is outside the question altogether. y 1! Oh, no; you have to answer the question?— Yes; I have. How long did that experience extend oVer? — Twenty years. NoWi if as you say you saw the accused with the bottle of whisky, why did you not report the matter or mention it to someone?— I 'am not paid for ■ that. ']'■'* 'V' '' : ■ '• ■ But you "knew that if there are six of you working the hold and one takes a bottle of whisky the lot would be blamed? — I- don't know about that at ' ill.- : ■' .." ■ -.. ■: ' . * Do you have dinner with Purnell?- 1 No, I don't. . Well, do : you know if he takes a bottle of tea with him to drink With his dinner? — No. Was Walker with you when Purnell ( asked you to have a drink?— No, but he was, coming towards us from the gate. * H^ did hot overheJir- what was said? —No. ; When- was it yoU first spoke to anyone about \trie matter? — / : ; - I TOLD NO ONE. But you spoke to Deteotive Gourley about it? — Yes, when he" came to me. When yeaaT that? — I can't remember I the day. ; Was It about 10 days after the incident is alleged to have taken place? — I don't remember. Before you spoke about it did Detective Gourley read a paper to you? — Yes. ; " •■■-■• .•"■ ■'■'■. ■: ■■"■ ■■-. And that was the first time you mentioned the matter?— Yes. David Walker, also a "wharfle" who was loading cargo on the Rosamond that day, said he remembered the damaged case being slung. Two bottles of whisky fell out and witness put them on one side. He thought the bottles were put back into the case, but would not swear to IL He never saw Purnell take a bottle, but later m the afternoon when Purnell was away (perhaps getting paid) Downing said there was a bottle of whisky about somewhere and asked witness to look for it. Witness said if there was he would have nothing to do with it. He had often seen cases come aboard damaged. The case was then adjourned till next day to allow another witness to be called. The case was resumed next day (Tuesday) ' when Purnell admitted that one of the cases of whisky was damaged, but denied that he had taken a bottle. William McLachltn said he was working m the hold of the Rosamond with Purnell, Downey and Walker, but saw nothing of a bottle of whisky. When they knocked ort he accompanied Purnell, but Downey was not with them at All and did not moot them at the tram terminus. His Worship then decided that the ease should stand over till the following Thursday. On Thursday last Magistrate E. C. Cutten gave his delayed, decision m the case heard during the week, when Alfred Clegg Purnell was charged with the theft of n bottle of whisky from the steamer Rosamond on February 11. In giving his decision, ilr. Cutton said he had carefully gone through the evidence, and CONSIDERED EVERYTHING 1N ACCUSED'S FAVOR. He had no doubt that Purnell took the bottle of whisky, and the only point which left any doubt was the evidence that accused had used a hook to prize the case open. Of course one would hnve expected to find a mark on the case, but as It was damaged and partly open the pressure used to widen the opening may have been very slight. It was not the rule of Magistrates to deal leniently with cases of wharf pillaging and it seemed as though whisky and other liquors were looked upon as fair game. However, there were oiroumstances m the present case which had to be considered. Purnell was a married man and would probably bo thrown out of work. A fine of JL'6 and costs would meet the. case. Deteotive Heott: The coh<« nr<» pretty ■ heavy, your Worship, nnd amount U> i £4 I Gu. Hlf» Wornhlp: Well, never mind; 1 had flr«t Intended to rtn«; him £10. The flno i* to bo pit Id (it th*< rnlc of £1 par woek.