ABOUT A BOTTLE OF PICKLES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 19 September 1918, Page 6

ABOUT A BOTTLE OF PICKLES

CHARGE AGAINST A WATERSIDER DISMISSED. A waterside worker named Robert Gould was charged before Mr. F. V. Framy S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, with having stolen, on September 14 a bottle of pickles, valued at 25., the property of the Union Steam Ship Company. Inspector Marsack prosecuted, and Mr. H. P. O'Leary appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. Inspector Mareack stated that on Saturday accused was employed on a vessel which was discharging cargo at the King's Wharf. The vessel was being searched juet prior' to sailing, when accused was found with a bottle of pickles in his iand. As soou as he saw the police he put down the bo/*Jo, and picked up a piece of wood, with which he pretended to be working. Sergeant J. O'Hara stated that about 4 p.m. on Saturday he was searching a steamer at the King's Wharf. In one of the holdß he saw accused, who appeared to be doing something when witness came on the scene. He picked up a piece 'of wood, and commenced cutting a* it with a knifo. Witness,' had seen acoused with a bottle of pickles, and charged him with stealing it. Evidence wag given by Allan Sheath, claims clerk for the Union Company, that owing to the frailty of the cases a good deal of loose stuff' was lying about in the hold. Mr. O'Leary said that Gould was a man who had worked round the waterfront for about fourteen years, and had held responsible positions. On the date in question Gould bad picked up the bottle of pickles, and placed it in a place of safety to prevent it from being- broken. "Waterside workers are continually coming upon the contents of boxes which have been broken in places elsewhere than in New Zeasaid Mr. "They feel that ilf they pick up something that is m the way, awl put it out of the road they aro going to be charged with theft, and they don't know where.the matter will end." ■ Defendant, in the course of his evidence, explained the fact that he was m possession of a knife at the time of the police visit by stating that he had just previously cut a defective sling. He had picked' up the bottle, and placed it in the "wings" of the ship in order to prevent it being broken, and thus becoming a danger to other workers. He had no intention, of appropriating the bottle, ard ho told the police sergeant that if he looked in the "wings" he would find a sack of other loose bottles. Walter Brooks, a watersider. who was working in the hold with Gould, gave corroborative evidence. Captain Walton, assistant marine superintendent for the Union Company, stated , that the vessel's cargo had been Pillaged, either in Wellington or in Vancouver. His Worship said the case was one where he had a "niidity strong suspicion, ' but it just fell short of absolute proof. "It is just as well that I am a bit conscientious on\these matters," remarked Mr. Frazer to accused. 'You are dismissed."