Fatal Practical Joke

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 84, 3 January 1888, Page 3

Fatal Practical Joke

Mklbottbnb, December 21. A singular charge of murder has been preferred against Henry Harkins, an employee in a wool-washing works on the banks of the Yarra. He had come to the works in a drunken state after the dinner hour one day last week, and the manager, Mr Nettleton, would not allow him to start work, He, however, remained about the premises indulging in practical jokes at the expanse of his fellowworkmen, culminating in his throwing one of them, named John Wan«k torn, bodily off a floating platform the river. The man rose to the surface once only, and was afterwards seen no more. Wantom was unable to swim, and his fellow- workmen, who witnessed the occurrence, were unable to save him. Harkens stood on the platform until Wantom sank the second time, and then walked away. The deceased was a man forty-eight years of age, married, and with four children. Harkens had no animosity against him, and simply seemed to be carrying out what he regarded as an excellent practical joke. He was drunk when arrested, aud after he got sober expressed great contrition at his deed.