Christmas in New Zealand can also beknown as the silly season and it was no different in 1923 when the NZ Herald reported on the adventures of a couple of drunken blokes looking to pinch some festive tucker from a farm.
The story involves a pig, four ducks and a piece of bacon wrapped in an overcoat.
Luckily for the hapless pair, the Court decided to take a lenient view, since it was Christmas.
Meanwhile, in 1876, butchers were advertising special treats for the Christmas table, including such delights as corned tongues.
The manner in which two men went about their business of selecting their Christmas fare, was investigated at the Stratford Magistrate’s Court today, when Walter James Ross pleaded guilty to having stolen from Henry Yeatman, of Wharehuia, a pig, 10lb. of bacon, four ducks, and 1lb. of butter, of a total value of £2 11s 6d.
William Hartigan, who was with Ross at the time, and who was also charged with theft, pleaded not guilty.
Sergeant Dale said that Hartigan’s wife was a sister to Mrs. Yeatman.
On December 17, the day of the alleged theft, Mrs. Hartigan was at the courthouse, and the Yeatmans were with her and there was nobody on the farm.
Hartigan and Ross hired a car and went to the farm, coming back to Stratford with a pig, a piece of bacon, and a duck with its head off.
On arriving at the courthouse, they actually tried to sell the pig to its real owner.
Failing in this direction, they tried to dispose of the animal to the licensee of the Club Hotel.
Will be worth seeing and for quality, unsurpassable.
FAMILIES are waited on for Orders. HOTELS and RESTAURANTS supplied, at per lb., with a Liberal Discount for Prompt Payments.
The Meat is slaughtered at my Private Slaughterhouse in the most humane, scientific, and cleanly manner.
N.B.— On Saturday, at 6 pm, commences the CLEARING SALE, when all Meat is sold at a reduction of 1d. per lb., to enable my men to get a timely rest for a hard day’s work. If you wish to secure a good Joint, come EARLY.
