RAGGING IN THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11808, 18 December 1912, Page 4

RAGGING IN THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT.

«3y ' j i (Special to the" Oamarn Mail.) { Wellington, December 17. Cruel, cowardly, and soandalous "rag- 1 still seems to be'prevalent m various nailwaj cleaning sheds by night. 1 inswermg the complaint of a Post correspondent Mr Ronayne, Geneial Managei, expressed doubts as to whether this'old evil sjstem of persecution could be stopped He had fined the' boys £l, £2, and £3 when offences had, been proved against them He liad seufc them to different shops, had dis-? missed"them, "arid in extia bad cases had "handed them over ,to the police to prosecute The "Department had beeii trjing ! for a'long tune to put a stop to "ragging" by such methods, and ever} case that came undei lus notice was severely dealt with, but it .appeared, to bp"a. kind of initiation to which all *bojs Jiad, to submit A foreman was/ on duty all night nt all the big sheds, but the boys waited until his back was turned before engaging in their activities, fiuthei, who were put thiough the initiation ceremony did not "is a rule ure to make a complaint,' because fhe-\ reckoned that if they did. thev might receno even worse treatment The difficulty was to piove a case The- Department went into -everv ciso of vhich complaint was made, but oiriv the other da\ a l>oard of enquiry wa«» set up to deal with a charge audi tbo complaiinnt failed to appeal Thet Post teims this reph a confession of departmental weakness practically a. mpek and mild surrender to hoodlum rub It is intended that offenders could be easily caurfifc and the penalty should be instant dismissal