Security Of T.A.B. Offices Studied

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31584, 23 January 1968, Page 22

Security Of T.A.B. Offices Studied

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 22. The armed hold-up at the Mission Bay agency of the Totalisator Agency Board on Saturday night had again focused attention on the siting of agencies and security measures taken to protect staff, the Auckland Clerical Workers’ Union said today. Most T.A.B. workers —many of them employed on a part-time basis—are members of the union.

The secretary of the Auckland branch (Mr D. Jacobs) said the hold-up and robbery of between $3OOO and $5OOO would be discussed at a meeting of his executive next week.

The recommendations from that meeting would be sent to the award committee of the union’s national council

The New Zealand manager of the T.A.B. (Mr B. M. Smyth) said from Wellington today that the hold-up meant that the board would probably have to have another look at security and siting of offices. He was concerned about security and the welfare of the staff, but there was not much that could be done to thwart an armed hold-up. The board had already held discussions with the crime prevention branch of the police force. Asked about the siting of premises—the Mission Bay agency is in an alley behind a block of shops—Mr Smyth said it was preferably to have them on main thoroughfares, but this was not always possible. Criticisms Made Last year several T.A.B. employees in Auckland were critical about the siting of offices.

One manageress said: “I never feel really happy, particularly near the closing time of 7.30 p.m., when night trotting meetings are held. The board will persist in placing agencies down dark alleys instead of on the street.’’ The police today had no leads at all in their search for the two men who tied up

the Mission Bay staff, Mr B. M. Magnusson, of Kohimarama, and Mrs I. M. Mansfield, of Mount Wellington, shortly before 7.30 p.m.