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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18350, 14 September 1921, Page 6

Oiio of the worst sufferers through petty pilfering is the proprietor of a restaurant or tea room (says the Dominion). No matter how vigilant or how careful the tea shop owner may be, his knives, spoons, forks, and even the plates disappear into the pockets or bags of unscrupulous men ond women. One proprietor complained bitterly to a reporter: “We are losing appurtenances hand-over-fist,” he said. “No sooner d° we put new goods on the tables than-! they disappear, and the trouble is that the people one leasts suspects are always, those who do the thieving. Every year we 1 lose a considerable amount. Take the better-class tea room. The patrons demend pretty good silver, and we have to give it. The evening after the new spoons and forks are put on the tables there are matiy stolen; and the manageresses and girls ate never able, except in unusual cirf.ciimstances, to detect the thieves. It costs oh ah average 9d for tea. The price charged for good silver spoons is about two shillings. Plates cost a shilling. Knives, and especially dainty afternoon tea knives, are very expensive. So you see, the thief makes a good profit out of the 'or Is expended on tea.” One establishment in l Wellington received, six months /ago a consignment of sterling silver spoons from England. To-day not one is left, and leaden spoon* are now put on the Üblfr