THEFT OF SAMPLES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 44, 30 August 1928, Page 15

THEFT OF SAMPLES

TRAVELLER PLEADS GUILTY The reason given to the police by a traveller, Percy Leo Fowler, for the theft oil some goods belonging to the Oriental Indian Importing Co., o£ Auckland, was that he was "hard up." Fowler appeared before-Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when he pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a brass table, a quantity of. embroidered silks, and Indian antique brass and lacquer ware, of a total value of £37 19s 6d. Chief-Detective Ward said that in January Fowler was employed as a traveller by the Auckland firm, which dealt in silks and Indian ware. He was working on a commission basis only, receiving 15 per cent, commission on all orders to took. His duties were to call on wholesale houses, and he was supplied with a quantity of samples, none of which were for sale, and all orders were to be sent to Auckland. Fowler made his way down from Auckland to Wellington, calling at different towns en route. His employer lost trace of him, aud when he came to Wellington this mouth, ho found the accused working on one of the relief works. The accused then returned toyhis former employer, some of the samples, which he had stored. The remaining goods, however, he had cither sold or pawned, and j he had converted the money to his own use. The goods not accounted for were valued at £23 lis 3d. "There is this in his favour," added Mr. Ward. "He didn't sell all the samples. There were a number stored here, aud had he wished he could have disposed of them." Fowler was a married niani 25 yours oE.age, who was living apart from his wife. ' "I am fully aware of the seriousness of the offence, and 1 should like to submit this fact to you," said Fowler to the Magistrate from the dock. "At the time of my arrest I had voluntarily made an appointment with' the owner of the goods to clear matters up. If your Worship can see your way to give mo probation I shall endeavour to do my best to make repayment of the amount lost by the owner of the goods, and also to go straight in the future." : The I'robalion Officer (Mr. T. P. Mills) siuid (hat the thpl't was serious. The accused inijiht be till'vijjht on probation, but he worihl recommend it with hesitation. Mr. Page said the case wan otic on the border line, but he would give Fowler the benefit of tho Offenders' .Probation Act, aud admit him to two years' probation, i Fowler has also to refund £23 14s 3d.