A SIP OF WINE
UNUSUAL PROSECUTION. WAIERSIDERS BEFORE THE COURT. (Per United Press Association). AUCKLAND, January 21. Al the Police Court to-day five wateraiders named John Bailey, Henry Thornton Sainsbury, Victor Nugent, John Alfred Horspool and George Wynn respectively, were charged with theft of a gallon of wine from a shed in the wharf after discharge from the steamer Tekoa. Detective McHugh stated that he was on the lookout for pillage in (Tie shed when he saw Horspool stooping over the winecask. He then went out and returned with Nugent. Each went to the cask on a number of occasions while the other was left on watch. On one occasion, Nugent brought Bailey. There were alternate visits to the cask. Wynn visited it on one oc casion and Sainsbury twice. Later he examined the cask and found a small hole in the top. From the actions of accused, he assumed they were drinking. All the defendants denied the charge. The Magistrate decided that accused went to the cask for the purpose of tasting the contents. The law made no allowance for human weakness, and this was like a schoolboy’s escapade. There was no evidence that accused had broached the cask. One having discovered it, the others took a sip. None was taken away in vessels. The ends of Justice would be met by dismissing the case as trivial and ordering accused to pay costs.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19250122.2.62
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 19457, 22 January 1925, Page 6
Word Count
234A SIP OF WINE Southland Times, Issue 19457, 22 January 1925, Page 6
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