ILLEGAL SALE OF SAMPLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 206, 29 August 1904, Page 5

ILLEGAL SALE OF SAMPLES.

TRAVELLER CHARGED WITH THEFT Charles Robert V. Hill, a commercial traveller, was charged before Mr Kettle, S.M., in the Police Court_ today with thefts of articles totalling in value £45 17/. Chief Detective Marsack prosecuted, and Mr Hackett defended. There were four informations, but Mr Marsack withdrew one in which Hill was charged with fradulently converting a sum of £5 9/3 to his own use, substituting it by a charge of , twelve watches value £5 9/3, the pro- j perty of Sidney Lewis. , A charge against Hill of stealing 33 I pieces of "electro plate ware, value £22, 6/, the property of Tanfield, Potter and Co., yra.s first heard. Ernest H. Potter, of the firm of Tanfield, Potter and Co., Auckland, stated that in March he engaged Hill to travel with electro-plate ware on commission. The accused was provided with 33 pieces of electro-plate as samples. Their value was £22 6/. Accused went to Wellington, and was instructed that he could sell them there. He wrote back saying that he would do so, or ship them back. Not hearing from him about orders, witne99 wrote asking that they should be returned, but Hill took them to Wanganui. Mr Hacket't: Having heard all the circumstances connected with the matter do you think it is a case of misfortune or criminal intent? His Worship ruled that this question was hardly fair, and Mr Haekett altered it so as to elicit "from the witness the information that he d : d not know the circumstances as fully when he laid the information as he aid now. If his firm had known that the proceeds from the sale of samples had gone in expenses, they would perhaps have been content to wait for a refund instead of laying the information, and from what he" knew of Hill he would personally be prepared to recommend the firm to eraplov him in another (*p. pucity so as to ! work off his indebtedness. Detective Miller stated that the accused was arrested on August 13th in Christcliurch. He mode a statement in Auckland admitting that he sold the samples in Wanganui, and stating that he had nothing to bide. In reply to Mr Haekett, the w'tness said that Hill had given every information to the pol'er, ■ and had saved the Department considerable expense through Ms help. Hill was employed in canvassing at Christchureh for the Government Insurance Department when he was arrested. Pleading guilty. Hill was committed for sentence at the Supreme Court.