CHARGE OF THEFT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1940, 23 November 1906, Page 2

CHARGE OF THEFT.

EXPLANATION BY THE DEFENCE I fc-B—*—l I I PRESS ASSOCIATION Dunedin, last night, At the Supremo Court to-day Alfred Octave Oudaille, oarryiog on business as ohemist, was ohargod’ with stealing a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes, and on i a seoond oount with receiving goods knowing the same to have been stolen. After hearing evidence for the prosecution, Mr I Justioe Ooopßr said he did not think there I was evidence to go to the jury on the first oount, and the Crown Prosecutor agreed, I Mr S- Solomon, for the defence, said ao- I cused and his friends were anxious to have I the matter folly inquired into. The I cigarettes were sold to 1 accused by a man

who said he had been reoommended to go to him by a friend of Oadaiile named G. Moon. The man said he had been in business in Ohriatohuroh, and had disposed of it ; he came to Dunedin thinking to open, here, but as there was no openiog he was trying to get rid of his stock. After further conversation OadaiJle bought the cigarettes, aud got a receipt signed W. G. West. Later on he boughl more, and got a receipt. Having made a profit on the first lot the man then offered two boxes of tobaoeo, but Oadaiile said he did not deal in lobacoo. Subsequently he agreed to try and sell the tobacoo for five' penoe commission. Inquiries made wenl to show that the real name of the man who signed himsrif West was Sharp. This man bad been employed in the office of the P.curmillors’ Association, (md admitted to the manager that be bad sold o garottes to Oudaille, giving a false name. Sharp could not now bo found. Aooused gave evidence in support of counsel’s statement. After a retirement of forty minutes the jury returned a verdict of not I guilty, and OadaiileA¥aß discharged.^