PILFERING ON THE RAILWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24834, 6 February 1942, Page 6

PILFERING ON THE RAILWAYS

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—lf the avenue of writing to your paper had occurred earlier to the many victims of the “ light-fingered gentry ” on the railways, the department could scarcely have replied as it did to the complaint by “Disgusted.” Most people philosophically accept the position in regard to the pilfering of fruit from Central Otago, knowing that little can or will be done to put an effective stop to it, 1 but the fact remains that it is rare for an individual to receive a full undamaged case. The wholesaler appears to fare a little better, possibly because he is in a position to make a definite claim and does not hesitate to do so. In support of “Disgusted,” here is a specific instance: Four cases of stone fruit were forwarded to me at intervals during the week January 21 and 28. None arrived intact. One had 181 b left in it and half of that was badly bruised through the loosening of the contents; 31b to 41b from every case would be merely a reasonable estimate of the pillage. May I suggest that the sufferers from this kind of low cunning inspect their cases on delivery, and, if they are not in order, refuse to take delivery. A few dozen semi-filled cases left for a while in the Railway Department’s hands would be fragrance compared to the ill-odour in which some employees keep their morals.—l am, etc., j February 5. Also Disgusted. I