A TALE OF A TURKEY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1930, Page 2

A TALE OF A TURKEY

• LAUGHTER IN POLICE COURT. AUCKLAND, July 21. Instead of viewing his roast turkey on his dinner table yesterday, Richard Ernest M’Dowell gazed this morning at the nnplucked bird on the floor of the Police Court, where it figured as the main exhibit in a charge of theft. During the week-end the bird had gone on tour. This morning William Mathici-on, a shipwright, aged fortyfour years, appeared charged with having been drunk in Alpha Road on Saturday evening, and with the theftof M’Do well’s turkey, the value of which was assessed at 8s 6d. Mr j Smyth represented accused, who ndI mitted being drunk but denied that lie. was a thief. I M’Dowell, who said he was a dealer, l>ought the turkey at the city markets on. Friday and went to take delivery of it on Saturday morning- On the way home with the dead bird he called at the Windsor Castie Hotel, where he listened for some time to the radio broadcast of the Britain versus Auckland match. About 5 p.in., said witness, he placed his tar- , key and some parcels oil a table in the bar while he visited a convenience-, being absent only a co.Upl© of

ttiimitea, He found on his return that the turkey had disappeared, so he reported the matter to the police. Mr Hunt; Have you got the turkey back yet?—No, sir. Sub-Inspector Shanahan: A constable later found it in Mathiepon s arms. (Laughter). The bird is here in Court. Mr Hunt: It’s about time that the turkey was cooked. (Laughter.) A constable said he arrested Mat-h----ie.son on ,a charge of drunkenness in Alpha Road at 5.40 p.m. on Satin - day. He was lying on the footpath covered with the turkey. “H & ivas too drunk to give me an explanation,” added the constable. R;oars of laughter followed, tUe Magistrate laughing with everyone in Court. Mr Smyth said accused was a most respectable man who had never been in any trouble before. “To put it mildly,- on Saturday he was horribly drunk.’’ . . “I know what to do with him, said the Magistrate. “He’s fined 5s for being drunk, and on the other charge I will not enter a conviction. The charge is dismissed on payment of costs.” “The turkey to toe returned to its owner,” suggested the Sub-Inspector. “Yes, if it is all right,” 'aid Mr Hunt. “The owner will gob h:s 10s for witness’s expenses, so he wiil Le able to buy another.” (Laughter.;