HOUSEBREAKING AT PONSONBY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 257, 31 October 1888, Page 8

HOUSEBREAKING AT PONSONBY.

MR J. H. WJLKINS'S HO USB

VISITED.

Poxson-by appears to be once again favoured with the presence of one or more of the {ight - fingered fraternity, and several complaints have been made by residents during the past couple of weeks of the manner in which small articles have gone missing. On Monday last a rather daring robbery was perpetrated at the residence of Mr J. H. Wilkin, in Dedwood Terrace, Ponsonby. Mr Wilkins was as usual employed at Mr C. C. Fleming's store in High-street, and Mrs Wilkins had left the house to do some shopping. Mrs Wilkins was absent between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and during that time the house was entered by thieves and the place disarranged, and a sum of money amounting to 28s stolen. The discovery wasmade when Mr Wilkins returned home in the evening. He then missed seven shillings from a pocket; book which had been left in a chest of drawers, which had been opened and the contents tossed about. A workbox, which had been left locked, was forced open, aud the contents turned topsyturvy. The box contained a lever watch and about £5 worth of rare coins, but these had not been removed. A gold watch and gold set which stood on top of the chest of drawers also remained untouched, tho thief evidently confining his operations to ready cash. A room occupied by Mr VV. Grigg, who was also absent during the day, had been entered, and two of his boxes wero found to have been disturbed. One box, containing clothing, showed signs of rough usage, and another box had been robbed of twenty-one shillings in silver, while fourpence in copper left in the same spot had been discarded. It is presumed that an entrance was effected by a back window during Mrs Wilkins's absence, and the robbery must have been carefully planned. Tho affair has the appearance of work done by an experienced hand, and it is to be hoped the police will sheet the robbery home, the matter having i been placed in .heir hands without the slightest delay.