THIEVES AT HOTELS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 884, 14 February 1907, Page 21

THIEVES AT HOTELS.

The London “ L.V. Gazette” in December last says: —A most important case affecting the liabilities of hotel-keepers is mentioned in today’s issue, and Lord Salvesen’s summing up and judgment suggests the question whether it is not possible for hotel proprietors to insure against robberies by hotel thieves. The case in, question refers .to the traveller of a Birmingham jewellery firm, whose bag of valuables, after being placed in the office of the Imperial Hotel, Edinburgh, was carried off by some other guest or guests staying at the hotel — “ the clever work of some swell mobsmen” —(to quote Mr. McClure, K.C.) —who left in place of the bag stolen one containing a piece of wood, an old silk hat, a cloth travelling cap,

and two pieces of zinc piping to give it weight. The traveller’s samples were insured by the National Burglary Insurance Corporation, who paid their value in full, and through the manufacturing jeweller, whose property the goods were, brought an action against the hotel proprietors for the amount, and have recovered a verdict for £1796. The robbery having taken place as far back as February last, it is not likely that any of the property will be recovered. If commercial travellers can insure their valuable samples, surely it should be equally possible for hotel-keepers to protect themselves against the loss of their guests’ goods.