FATAL PRACTICAL JOKE.
Melbourne, December 21. A singular charge of murder has been preferred against Henry Harkens, an employee in Bome wool-washing works on the banks of the Yarra, He had come to the works in a drunken state 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 expense ot his fellow-workmen, culminating in his throwing one of them, named John Wantom, bodily off a floating platform into 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, morried, 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 wss drunk when arrested, and after be got sober expressed great contrition at his deed.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TEML18871229.2.21
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Temuka Leader, Issue 1679, 29 December 1887, Page 4
Word count
Tapeke kupu
186FATAL PRACTICAL JOKE. Temuka Leader, Issue 1679, 29 December 1887, Page 4
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in