MISSING GOODS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 17, 20 July 1921, Page 6

MISSING GOODS

THEFT ALLEGED AGAINST TWO EMPLOYEES.

Two employees of the Empire Manufacturing- Company—Harry Charles Holland (factory manager) and Frederick Walter Roscoe (head storeman)—were charged today, before Messrs. I. Salek, J. B. Teasdale, and D. Kcir, J.P.'* with the theft of_ a, quantity of goods of a total value of £76 10s 6d, the property of the company. Chief Detective Ward conducted the prosecution, and Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell appeared for boih the accused.

Outlining the case, the Chief Detective said that the two men, who had intended to leave tho employ of the company shortly m order to enter business on their own account, had arranged with a carrier to take tho goods away and store thorn at Miramar.

William Douglas Cook,' secretary and manager of _the> Empire Manufacturing Company, said that neither of the men had any authority to remove goods from the factory uhlesn a docket had been, made out. On 15th July witness examined the contents of 15 c.jees and three octaves at the police station, and these he found to contain all the_ articles that had been mentioned in the information. No docket for the goods had been put in by either of the 'accused.

Albert Edward Turner, a carrier, said that ho was engaged to call at the Empire Manufacturing Company's premises, where Roscoe loaded fifteen cases and three barrels on to his cart. Witness, took tho load out to Miramar, where the goods were stored.

Detective Walsh said that on 13th July he, saw the two accused at the Empire Manufacturing Company's premises. Roscoe admitted . that. the goods were tho property of the company, and that he and Holland intended to start business on their own account. He further Btated that Holland knew tho goods had been taken away, and that he, Roscoe, had engaged the carrier. Roscoe later made a statement admitting the theft:.

Both tho accused pleaded not guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed at £100, and one surety ;of a lik'i amount. The accused reserved their defence. ,