MYSTERY OF A CUTLET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19275, 13 March 1926, Page 2 (Supplement)

MYSTERY OF A CUTLET.

WAITRESS AND HER TIPS.

CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY.

CUSTOMER AND HIS BILLS,

"Although there is a notice, 'No gratuities allowed,' there is little doubt that such a system exists as the under-charg-ing of customers who tip," said Mr. Percival Clarke, prosecuting in an unusual case at the Old Bailey, London, recently. Thomas Clarke, a clerk, and Ellen Grace Groves, a waitress, were charged with conspiring to obtain food by false pretences. Counsel said Clarke was what was known as a "tipping" customer at a restaurant, and it was suggested that for his tips the waitress was generous enough to charge him too little for his refreshment. An inspector said that while sitting at the same • table as Clarke he heard him say, "Reg. and I usually get about 2s worth for Is here. We give the girl about Is a week." On three days he noticed that Clarke had lood amounting to Is

B£d, for which Groves gave him a bill foils; he was charged Is l£d when the bill should have been 2s 3dj he was given a bill for Is which should have been Is 3d. It was suggested by the defence that the inspector had mistaken a veal cutlet for a salmon cutlet, which was cheaper. Samples were shown to the jury, whereupon Mr. Justice McCardie remarked; "I think after thesd exhibits we should adjourn for lunch." (Laughter.) Clarke denied that he had ever lunched at the place with anyone named "Reg." He had no arrangement with Miss Groves. He did not know her name before the prosecution. Miss Groves said Clarke had occasionally 1 given her a tip, but never more than 6d. She had never undercharged him. When witness was cross-examined as to whether she served a knife and fork or two forks with a salmon cutlet, the judge interposed:—"l should not mind eating fish with a knife and fork. A great many of these social affectations are absurd. If you go into a restaurant on the Continent you will often see English people using a knife and fork where they would require two forks' in England." The jury failed to agree- and the case was a.djourned until next sessions. Accused were allowed bail.