AN ACQUITTAL.

NZ Truth, Issue 583, 19 August 1916, Page 2

AN ACQUITTAL.

A Wine Worry. After other little matters had been disposed of, James Angus McQuilkan was charged with having stolen two bottles of wine from on board the s.s. Remuera, on May 24, the goods being valued at 7s. The accused was represented by Mr. EL F. O'Leary. Mr. Meredith, who prosecuted, said that the accused was working aboard the vessel at the 1 time, and as he was coming up the ladder ha was noticed to have A BOTTLE IN HIS POCKET which the stevedore, Albert Jules Archer, asked him to deliver up as he could see the form bulging out under his coat. The accused gave him tho neck of a bottle, but Albert wanted more, and a full bottle was eventually produced. Other evidence was also forthcoming, but was of no material consequence. For the defence the accused went into the box and said, m answer to his counsel, that he had never been m a court of justice as an accused person m his life before. His explanation of the affair was, that he had found the two bottles of wine standing apart from the place where the wine should have been stocked. His intention was to take it up to the stevedore and deliver it to him. In coming up the ladder he knocked one of the bottles against the combing of the hatch and broke it (the bottle). No sooner did he approach Archer than that individual pounced on him like a bramalykito ON TO A DEAD MALAY, <md would not listen to his explanation, which was that he . had intended to hang around until the other workers had gone, as he did not" want them to see him giving up the wine. (Under cross-examination, the boss stevedore had admitted that he would not listen to any explanation.) The Jury, after a retirement of four hours, decided that the prisoner was not guilty, and he was discharged accordingly.