AUCKLAND P. & T. BETTING CHARGES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 4036, 31 December 1929, Page 2

AUCKLAND P. & T. BETTING CHARGES.

TELEGRAM OF PROTEST. Relative to the dismissal of F. and T. officials arising out of the inquiry into alleged betting transactions at Auckland recently as a result of which six men were dismissed from the service, the Auckland P. and T. staff has now forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Minister:— “Six offijeers of the Auckland telegraph office have received notice of instant dismissal through alleged betting ovcjr the telephone. The sentence imposed is, jin our opinion, out of all proportion to the alleged offences. This branch most emphatically protests, and asks that you immediately give your personal attention to this most urgent and serious matter with a view to a more humane sentence being imposed.” 'The men are smarting ' under what they consider a most unjust sentence, and the matter is to be taken before the Post and Telegraph Appeal Board, the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association having already taken action in that direction. In the meantime the staffs of the Post Office are getting in to,uch with local members of Parliament to see if something cannot be done to have the sentences revised. As it is intended to publish the nature of the charges and tlie (reasons of the Post and Telegraph Department for dismissing the six men. the public will have opportunity, of judging whether or not the men have been harshly treated.

It is learned that twelve men out of a staff of 155 were questioned after the inspectors had listened in by secret wire. One was able to prove that liis conversation over the tapped wire did not refer to helling. Two others discussed betting with their wives,. ’ and one frankly admitted betting. Nine men were concerned in the inquiry held by the Magistrate, Mr. F. Iv. Hunt, S.M. Seven were pronounced guilty, six of them were dismissed, and the seventh was transferred to another branch. In addition to members of the staff, outsiders wore called to give evidence at the inquiry. As soon as the six men received their notices of instant dismjissal they relinquished their duties.