MILK MONEY THEFTS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30206, 10 August 1963, Page 13

MILK MONEY THEFTS

Milkman Wants Police Action

“Chaos beyond description" had been caused by thefts from milk bottles on his round, a vendor. Mr K. R. Cain, said in a letter received yesterday by the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board

Mr Cam said his letter was a copy of one sent to the police requesting action to find the thieves. He said he would keep the board informed of the police action on his letter. Two boys had recently been apprehended by a constable at Papanui, he said. "I trust that appropriate action will be taken in this case, not only as a means of punishment for the offenders but as a deterrent to others.” Mr Cain said. Two boys caught on a previous occasion had not been interviewed until two weeks after the event, and by that time alibis had been established, said Mr Cain. Thefts from bottles on his round were frequent, he said. “For many months several of us spent whole nights patrolling our areas, but our efforts were fruitless.” Besides causing considerable financial loss, the thefts caused bad relationships between customers and the trade, he said. Canopies

Milk sellers who put canopies on their trucks before the new standard canopy was prescribed will now be paid a subsidy of half the price of the canpoy or up to £4O. To date, the board has given a half-price subsidy on standard canopies fitted, but has only paid half the price of altering those built previously to conform with the regulations. The paying of half the cost of alteration had been decided on the advice of the Audit Office and board’s solicitors. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys) was later approached when difficulties continued to arise. A letter from Mr Taiboys which was received at the meeting yesterday said that although the vendors might not have receipted accounts of costs, the Controller and Auditor-General would agree to them receiving the usual subsidy if they made a written application with detailed information on their costs.