NATIVE-BORN THIEVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 290, 8 December 1925, Page 16

NATIVE-BORN THIEVES.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l am of the same- opinion as Disgusted," and firmly believe: that ' these "Windy Isles" hold just as many New Zealand-born thieves as Australia does, perhaps more. I have travelled quite a lot in loreign lands, and have lived for many years in Australia, and must truthfully say that I have never lost anything. Shortly after my arrival here, I had a valuable suit case stolen, which was eventually recovered. They thief —a Xew Zealand born "gentleman" —got three months free board in Mount Eden. As well as hotel thieves, Auck-' land has surely got her sha,re of park prowlers who infest the ' domain jind other open spaces cloee to the city,- to the danger of/women and children* A park-worker told mc recently that hardly a Saturday passes without there is.something missing from the dressing slicds. In all cases the culprits were either New Zealandefs or Englishmen. This man also, told.me that a thief was (•'aught not so long ago who had-;gohe systematically through the clothes, of little school children. The thief, when caught, had in, his pockets a number of articles, including a cheap watch, pehkriives, >tid a ilumbef of sixpences'and pennies—taken from these unfortunate kids. THe thief, of course, was a New iSealander. If this kind of eneak-tljiev-in«- doesn't-top the pole, then can softie New Zealander tell me;what, does?—l AUSTRALIAN. ,