THE SPORTING BURGLAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE SPORTING BURGLAR.

VALUED "KEEPSAKES" RETURNED. MYSTERIOUS 'PHONE MESSAGE. Somewhere in London there is a sporting burglar. Tribute is paid to him by his victim. In response to an appeal made by Mr. E. J. Thai, of Hyde Park Terrace, W., the man who broke into his home returned by post five miniatures which arc of great sentimental value to the owner. "They came back by post at mid-day," Mr. Thai said in an interview. "Thoy were in an ordinary envelope, properly stamped, and my name and address were printed by hand in block capitals. I want to say a very sincere 'thank you' to the burglar, and to let him know how very grateful I am. He was very sporting. The miniatures have been removed from their setting—the lid of a blue enamelled cigarette box with a gold rim. But I do i not mind the jewels and box so long as j I have the miniatures."

These are of Mr. Thai's children when they were young and of himself in naval uniform.

The return of the miniatures follows a mysterious telephone message which Mr. Thai received. "A man, who led me to believe that he was the person who stole the box, rang up my address in London, but I was out of town," said Mr. Thai, describing the incident. "The servant who answered the telephone told the caller that I was away. He then asked for the number of the house where I was. Twice the • man telephoned this address, which was about 30 miles out of London. The first time I was not in.

"He said he was very much touched by my appeal, which he had seen in the newspapers. He added that he would be able to get the miniatures next day and would then send them to me by post. The voice did not sound that of an educated man. If the burglar should be caught and the other goods be recovered I should certainly have no wish to prosecute him, although the insurance companies might not adopt that attitude."