PILLAGE ON RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 5

PILLAGE ON RAILWAYS.

GOODS TAKEN FROM TRUCKS. MERCHANTS' HEAVY LOSSES. Christehurch, Dec. 18. With hundreds of laden railway waggons standing on sidings between Lyttelton and Riccarton, owing to the lack of accommodation in the clearing sheds, many cases of pillage and theft are being reported. Already there is evidence of depredations on a large scale, but the full extent cannot yet be ascertained, because consignees in many instances are unable to arrage for clearances of complete lines. So serious has the position become that the shipping companies are refusing to accept responsibility in respect of goods left standing in open trucks. The Railway Department is not accepting their full responsibility, so that according to consignees they are somewhat of a chopping block, while the two interests determine their respective liability. At the Christehurch goods sheds a fair space is already occupied with damaged and pillaged cases, on which liability has to be determined. Before goods reach the sheds, , owing to the congestion, they are often held for a long time on sidings. Such sidings are patrolled, the guards consisting largely of superannuated railway servants," who have been specially engaged for the purpose. But the area to be covered is a large one, and the determined thieves have been able to evade the patrols. Of course goods are. pillaged both before and during shipment. One Christchurch firm recently received a consignment of footwear, m which £SOO \vorth had disappeared in transit. On the same vessel a' consignment of leather for a Dunedin firm was pillaged to the extent of £3OOO. Importers declare that pillaging on the railways is an increasing trouble, and one which demands an efficient detective force.