OWNERSHIP OF PATTERNS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 231, 28 September 1903, Page 5

OWNERSHIP OF PATTERNS

PROSECUTION OF A BOOTMAKER.

The point as to'whether a bootmaker was entitled to the patterns he had designed was raised in a prosecution for theft before Mr. 11. W. Brabant, S.M., this morning, when William James Woods, formerly head clicker and designer at Messrs. de Montalk's boot factory, Wellington street, was charged with stealing paper patterns of boots. silld a costing book, of (he total value of £ 10, ihe property of Messrs. de Montalk. Mr. Mowlem prosecuted, and Mr. : J. 0. Martin defended.

Mr. Mowlem explained to the Court that the prosecutors bought a boot factory in Wellington street from Woods in December last, and on .lanuary 10th he entered their employ a,s head clicker, and also to make patterns from which boots could be made. He was engaged for three months in making paper patterns, and was then discharged. A few days after he left it was found that the patterns had been taken away, and that tbe accused had also taken a containing partieula.rs \>f the cost of makingvarious kinds of boots, practically containing the secrets of the business and very important to its success. A search warrant was issued against Woods, and the patterns and the costing book found in his bouse.

Mr. de Montalk, in the witness box, said Woods made 32 sets of patterns at the factory. He was questioned by Mr. Martin, and added that when the accused was leaving the factory he admitted to witness that he hud some paper patterns in his pocket, and alleged they belonged to himself. Witness replied that lie was inclined to get a detective to search Woods' house. Paper patterns were first made, and cardboard or zinc copies'fashioned from them. Paper patterns would be useless to work from, but as far as his experience went, he did not know that the paper patterns were thrown away. He fancied that Woods sent his own private patterns to the factory, because they were short.

Mr. Martin: Why did you not take civil proceedings at once when Woods claimed the patterns a.s his?

Witness: I don't know why. Mr. Martin: Do you think be stole them?

Witness: I think T have mentioned before: I am not quite sure.

(Proceeding.)