MELBOURNE CAFE FRAUDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 9

MELBOURNE CAFE FRAUDS.

DISHONEST CUSTOMERS.

[from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY. Jan. 3.

Melbourne cafe proprietors have just, awakened to an ingenious dodge practised" upon them by patrons who are systematically evading payment of amounts due for articles supplied. ' This is the system : A party of three persons will enter a cafe and order from the menu edibles that are chargeable at two shillings each. The waitress will give, them a docket for the amount due, handing it to the person giving the order. Awaiting a favourable opportunity, the party will then remove to a distant table, and there order a soft fountain drink each, costing ninepence altogether. Receiving the docket for this, the party will leave the cafe, presenting the second docket only,' and paying the ninepence. Thus they defraud the cafe proprietor of 5s 3d, The practice, it is stated, has become so common, and the consequent losses so considerable, that many of the larger establishments are now employing special agents to defeat these evasions. Several attempts have already been frustrated,, t\vs customers being politely reminded that they have overlooked another docket that, doubtless, they will find in their pockets.