“ MILK WAR ” IN CITY

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 300, 18 December 1931, Page 9

“ MILK WAR ” IN CITY

Young Man Took Bottle of Rival. SUM FOR THE POOR BOX. “ There is something in the nature of a milk war in Christchurch,” said Chief-Detective Carroll to Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., this morning, when Sydney George Walker, of Procter Street, was charged with stealing two quart bottles of milk, valued at Is lid, the property of Daniel M’Donald. It was explained that the accused thought a rival was trying to take his customer. Mr Mosley said he did not want to enter a conviction and dismissed the case under section 18 of the Offenders Probation Act, provided Walker put 10s in the Court poor box. Chief-Detective Carroll said that a householder was fn the habit of getting milk from the Devonvale Dairy, where Walker was employed as a driver. The same householder later ordered milk from M’Donald, then taking milk from both firms. Walker usually arrived before M'Donald’s driver, but one morning he arrived second and, seeing two of M’Donald’s bottles, thought a rival was trying to beat him. Walker took the two bottles, put them in his cart and drove away. He met M’Donald’s driver and accused him of trying to pick up a customer. Walker said he had taken the bottles, and they were recovered at the Devonvale Dairy by the police. Counsel said that it was not disputed that the bottles were taken, but it was not intended to deprive the true owner of them. The young man did not intend to steal the bottles, but thought the other man had left them with the intention of taking his customer. “ Don’t be so foolish again," said Mr Mosley to Walker. “ Leave other people’s property alone in future.” The Magistrate dismissed the case without requiring evidence to be called.