1154 ARTICLE 27

in this State by the barrel shall be understood as referring to the quantity
or size of the barrel specified in this section; provided, however, that
nothing in this section shall prevent any shipment of apples in the regular
flour barrel.
As to "Weights and Measures," see art. 97.

Fraud—Upon Gas Companies.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 179. 1912, sec. 157. 1904, sec. 142. 1888, sec. 105. 1886, ch. 222, sec. 1.
1927, ch. 677, sec. 179. 1933, ch. 100.

204. Any person who shall wrongfully and maliciously damage, con-
nect, disconnect, tap, interfere or tamper with any mains, pipes, connec-
tions, valves, holders, machinery, manufacturing apparatus, appliances or
appurtenances belonging to any company using or engaged in the manu-
facture and/or supply of gas for light, heat and power or either of them,
or any person who, with intent to injure or defraud any gas company,
body corporate of this State, shall make, or cause to be made, any pipe,
tube or other instrument or contrivance, or connect the same, or cause
it to be connected, with any main service pipe or other pipe for conducting
or supplying gas, in such manner as to connect with and be calculated to
supply gas to any burner or orifice by or at which gas is consumed, around
or without passing through the meter provided for the measuring and
registering of the quantity of gas there consumed, shall be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof shall be punished by
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding two
hundred and fifty dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. The
existence of any pipe or tube connection or other instrument or con-
trivance, as aforesaid, permitting the use of gas furnished by any gas
company, body corporate of this State, without it being measured or
registered on a meter provided therefor by such gas company, shall be
prima facie evidence of intent to violate and of the violation of this
section by the person or persons who would receive the direct benefits
from the use of the gas without it being measured or registered on a
meter as aforesaid.

As to "Gas and Electric Companies," see Art. 23, sec. 178, et seq.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 180. 1912, sec. 158. 1904, sec. 143. 1888, sec. 106. 1886, ch. 222,

sec. 2. 1927, ch. 677, sec. 180.

205. Any person, who with intent to injure or defraud any gas com-
pany, body corporate of this State, shall wilfully injure, alter or obstruct,
or prevent the action of any meter provided for the purpose of measuring
and registering the quantity of gas consumed by or at any burner, orifice
or place, or cause or procure any such meter to be injured or altered, or the
action thereof to be obstructed or prevented, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprison-
ment not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding two hundred and
fifty dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. The existence of any
injury or alteration of such meter which obstructs or prevents the action
thereof as aforesaid, shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate and
of the violation of this section by the person or persons who would receive
the direct benefits from the use of gas passing through such injured or
altered meter.