MISSING BATTERIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17805, 2 September 1929, Page 8

MISSING BATTERIES.

SALESMAN CHARGED. ALLEGED FAKED DOCKET. (Continued from Page 7.) Coyle Battery Obtained. •In cross-examination, Forsman said that one .of the five missing batteries was later accounted for by being found in a car on the premises. There was also a discussion as to whether four or five new’ batteries arrived in a certain case. Five had been debited up by head office and actually only four arrived. Witness said that after Watson had left the firm, but before the case was taken up by the police, Watson one •day on the street asked him if he got that battery back. He did not know what battery was referred to. Claud Frederick Ander, battery expert employed by the Construction Department after Watson, said that on assuming his new duties he took stock of the batteries. Witness said he inspected the' battery in Laxon’s lorry on June 18. He was quite certain it was a Willard. Witness said Watson later approached him and remarked, “I hope you are not going to make It too hard for me.” Witness replied that he intended to tell the truth. Carrick Nisbet, battery and motor dealer, -said Watson obtained a Coyle battery from him. Harry George Baker, employed by Nisbet in June last, said that on June 18, he took a Coyle battery out of Laxon’s truck, which was stationed outside. He did so on instructions from Wat-son, who told him to hurry, as he wanted to get to the sale. Constable D. 11. Sutton, said that on July 4 he discovered one of the missing batteries in liumm's shop, and said he was present when Detective White arrested Watson later. Watson said he could prove that he was in Auckland on the day he was supposed to have changed the battery in Laxon’s truck. Witness told him that was quite possible. Detective A. J. White read a lengthy statement from prisoner, in which he explained that the battery he put in Laxon’s car was a Coyle, for which he was the agent. In the case of the battery sold to Waters, he admitted the truth of the evidence given by witness Paulk As paid the money which he got from Waters to Pauli, he made nothing out of the deal. As a matter of fact the transaction cost him ,2s 6d for tiie lamp which he entered on the docket. He acted in the manner he did to try and gain the goodwill of the customer for future business, when he (Watson) opened up on his own account. 'i iii.s ended the case for the Crown. In addressing the jury, Mr. Tompkins said lie intended lo call a Mr. Marshall to show that the precedent of selling batteries at discount rates lo persons not in the trade was established by Andrews. Bertie Smith Marshall, engineer in the Public Works Department, said he took his battery round to the Electric Construction Company. Watson told him he required a new one and said lie could probably get him one at discount rates, though he would have to consult the manager. They went into Mr. Andrews’ office, where Andrews, after some discussion, told him lie could have the battery at 50s discount, but this was not the usual thing and he would have to put the transaction through a trading firm. The deal was put through Pauli’s garage.

Answering Mr. Gillies, witness said he was in the Government Electricity Department, which used a large number of batteries, although this was for his own private car. This was the only evidence called lor the defence. As we went to press Mr. Tompkins was giving him final address to the jury.