MOUNT EDEN ROBBERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 201, 23 August 1904, Page 4

MOUNT EDEN ROBBERY.

DARING CASE OF HOUSEBREAKING. A DAYLIGHT HAUL. Big attractions like the British football match never draw housebreakers, as it is then their harvest time in the deserted suburbs. Taking advantage of this circumstance on Saturday, a thief carried out a very cool and successful robbery from the residence of Mr T. Doekray, tailor, which occupies a ncr position in Viaw-road and Mount Eden-road, close to Mount Eden. Mr Doekray went to the football match, and Mrs Doekray, about two o'clock, left the house to look at some reighbour's flowers. She talked to her friends for a while, and then decided that she would go with them up the mountain, as from it could be obtained a glimpse of the great crowd at Alexandra Park. Aeeompanied by her neighbour, Mrs Doekray returned to the house for her umbrella, and although she had only been away less than 20 minutes, in that snort period the house had been entered, thoroughly searched, and quite a hundred pounds' worth in money and clothing stolen. Neighbours who were called by the alarmed ladies were able to say that they saw a man go to the front door and ring the bell wnile Mrs Doekray was away. He got no response, and then went through a trellis gate at the side of the house to reach the back door —daring work for a thief at two o'clock in the afternoon. Getting no reply to a knock, the thief concluded that the house was empty, and then the robbery was committed with great rapidity. The hasp of the back door was smashed off, and the house entered. The whole place was ransacked in a short time. A plush case, which was unlocked, but required a little dexterity to open, was smashed, and £15 in gold which Mr Doekray had left there for safety because he was going to the football match was appropriated. A valuable gold watch belonging to Mr Doekray, and a nuinoer of articles of jewellery much prized by Mrs Doekray, were taken, and the thief even examined a vegetabledish on the kitche-n shelf upon the chance of valuables being bidden in it. Practically the whole of Mr Dockray's wardrobe was selected by the thief, who took a large Gladstone bag into which to cram several pairs of trouß-;- ,- ---two overcoats, including a silk-1.. Chester coat, vaiue £7, and s pairs of new booty. The total vl,. of the property, and money lost by :V:. Doekray reaches £iOO. A neighbour saw a bag being carried by a man down View-read, but not being suspicious she did not trouble to speak of the matter until the robbery was discovered.