SIX DISMISSALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 1

SIX DISMISSALS

Bombshell in Telegraph Office SEQUEL, TO BETTING CHARGES Protest and Appeal Lodged SIX members oil the telegraph operating staff at the Chief Post Office in Auckland received notices of dismissal yesterday as a result of the department’s inquiry into allegations that office telephones were used in laying bets at the Takapuna Jockey Club’s race meeting on November 30 and December 2. Nine officers were concerned in the inquiry, which was held privately in the Magistrate’s Court, Mr. F. Iv. Hunt, S.M., presiding.

As announced in The Sun last evening, four of the men who have been dismissed are operators and the remaining two are distributors. They have been in the service for periods ranging from 15 to 34 years and one was due to retire in 14 months’ time on superannuation. The amount the men have paid into the superannuation fund may be forfeited should the department so decide. Representatives of the departmental branch affected have issued the following statement: — "Had a bombshell been exploded in the telegraph office at midday yesterday no greater amazement would have been displayed than that caused by the advice of the dismissal of six members of the staff concerned in the recent alleged betting conversations. "Since the completion of the magisterial inquiry and in view of the evidence tendered, the executive officers and operators anticipated and were unanimously of the opinion that a caution or pro’bably a fine would be meted out to those officers concerned. “Judging by the nature of the alleged offences as they appear on the dismissal notices, the penalty inflicted seems to be unreasonable and is incomprehensible to all members of the Auckland Post Office staff. By the comment heard from the public generally on learning of the department's decision it would appear that tho sentence imposed is many removes front a humane and just one PRIME MINISTER ADVISED "The telegraph staff yesterday forwarded the following telegram to the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, PostmasterGeneral: — Six officers Auckland telegraph staff today have received notice of instant dismissal through alleged betting over telephone. The sentence imposed is in our opinion out of all proportion to the alleged offences. This branch most emphatically protests and asks that you immediately give your personal at-

tention to this most urgent and serious matter with a view to a more humane sentence being imposed.

“The position will undoubtedly come before the Post and Telegraph Appeal Hoard, but that is a matter for the Post and Telegraj>h Association, which, on principle, has already taken action. “In the meantime the staffs of the Chief Post Office are getting into touch with their local Members of Parliament and are also enlisting public sympathy in an effort to obtain some measure of humane treatment for the men concerned.

“It is intended to make public the nature of the charges and the department’s reasons for dismissing the men. Highly interesting disclosures are expected to be made.”

The charges were preferred following the tapping of office telephones on the race days by departmental inspectors. About 40 members of the staff were afterward confronted, a number admitted breaches of the regulations, and nine denied the charges.

The departmental secretary, Mr. G. McNamara, ordered the inquiry, at which the men were represented by Mr. Allan Moody, assisted by Mr. W. H. Brown, of the Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association. The department was represented by Mr. V. R. Meredith, Crown solicitor, and Mr. Ogilvie, one of the inspectors concerned. ‘

The finding of the magistrate was forwarded to Mr. McNamara, whose decision is now announced. The penalties for those who admitted their guilt has yet to be fixed. Besides possessing the power of dismissal Mr. McNamara may inflict fines, regrade, or cancel leave of absence.

The dismissed men have 30 days in which to lodge an appeal with the departmental board, which consists of a magistrate, a representative of the department, and a representative of the employees, chosen by ballot.