KHAKI CLOTHING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 6

KHAKI CLOTHING

CHARGE AGAINST LAUNDERERS.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday Orlando W. Oldham, the manager of the Excelsior Laundry, was charged with having been in possession or clothing and blankets which belonged to the Defence Department without his being able to account satisfactorily foi that fact. Chief Dcteetive Boddam prosecuted, and Mr. T. W. Hislop defended. Major M'Cristell said there was no contract with Oldham's laundry for anything other than clothing. Wallio Mahomnied Salaman gave evidence to the effect- that he had had a conversation with Oldham respecting dyeing 100 khaki coats. Oldham asked if khaki would take dye well, and witness replied that it would. Oldham also asked if black dye would cover up uumbers. , To Mr. Hislop: He had no feeling ot revenge against Oldham; he was merely speaking the truth. Detective Sergeant Cox stated that he had searched defendant's premises and found the property in question upstairs. Oldham stated that he had received the property from the Defence Department or from soldiers. He bad noticed on Salaman's promises what appeared to bo military property dyed, and had spoken to Salaman about it _ Defendant said in the courso of his evidence that his firm dealt with thousands of contained soldiers' clothing. There woro so many parcels, in fact, that it would be strange if there wore not some mishap. Many° of the articles not called For were put aside. The articles in question were unclaimed goods. Hp lintl not asked, Salaman to dye military goods for him. gn.laman had been ordered off defendant's premises, anil had a grudge against him: Charles S. Lawd, dispatcher at the laundry, said that sometimes the Defence parcels contained more clothing than was stated on the slip, and sometimes contained less. When they contained more the surplus was detained to "6ii"ter-balance the less. Charles H. White said that Tip had not heard dveimi khalc! mentioned duTing the conversation between Oldham and Salaman. The Magistrate s fl id that there was nothiii" in' the conduct of the defendant which suggested dishonesty, but lie did nt agree with his methods. Oldham was convicted and discharged. ' ;