GIVING SHORT CHANGE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9323, 25 January 1896, Page 7

GIVING SHORT CHANGE.

The complaints made by the Committee of tbe Viotoria Racing Club against certain booking clerks of the Railway Department of giving short change to persons going by rail to Fiemiogton race meetings have now been fully investigated and dealt with. Tho report of the Board of Inquiry to the Commissioners was to the effect that in nineteen cases detectives employed by tho Racing Club had received short change. In one of these there was no dishonest intention on the part of the clerk concerned, ho having reported surplus cash in accordance with the rules of the Department. Iv sixteen oases there was no proof of deliberate fraud, though the extra cash received had not been accounted for. As to the two remaining cases, however, there was no doubt of a dishonest intention under strong temptation. Were it not for the good records of the clerks in these two latter cases the Commissioners would have dismissed them. Under all the circumstances, however, the Commissioners consider that fines and a severe caution will be sufficient. The other clerks are to be reprimanded, and steps are to be taken to have the cash of each kept separate for the future. A rule of the department iv this respect has been violated, and thus the investigation of the charges brought by the Club was attended with difficulty. The Commissioners hope that the exposure whioh has been brought about by the Racing Club will have a wholesome effect upon officers of the department who who have the handling of cash, and whose duty it is not only to be thoroughly honest in their dealings with the public, but to j guard against all mistakes.