ART. 27] FRAUD—UPON GAS COMPANIES—HIRERS. 827

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 illumi-
nating gas, in such manner as to connect with and be calculated
to supply illuminating gas to any burner or orifice by or at
which illuminating 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.

1888, art. 27, sec. 106. 1886, ch. 222, sec 2.

143. Any person who, with intent to injure or defraud any
gas company, 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
illuminating 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 imprisonment not exceeding six months,
or by fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars, or both,
in the discretion of the court.

Fraud by Hirers.

Ibid, sec, 107. 1872, ch. 423.

144. Every hirer of a personal chattel of the value of twenty
dollars and upwards, who shall secrete, make away with, sell,
or otherwise dispose of the same, with intent to defraud the
owner thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon con-
viction thereof shall be liable to a fine not exceeding double the
value of the article disposed of, and imprisonment for a term
not exceeding thirty days, or either, at the discretion of the
court.

Fraud—Insurance Companies, by Directors or Officers of.

1898, ch. 320, sec. 119 B.

145. Any director or officer of any insurance company, or
association, or fraternal beneficiary association, who shall
receive any premium or assessment on behalf of said company,
association or fraternal beneficiary association, knowing at the
time of the receipt of said premium or assessment said com-