SLEUTH EVADED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 84, 10 April 1937, Page 11

SLEUTH EVADED.

TENDERFOOT THIEF.

A UNIVERSITY COMEDY.

WALLETS BOUPFEABAXCE One of life's little comedies, amusing to all but the principals, was enacted at Canterbury University College this week. While a detective was on watch in the vicinity of the Hector's room, a thief stole into the biological department at the rear of the building and removed a wallet.

Not only that. Until the detective reported back at headquarters he was unaware that anything untoward had taken place, although in the meantime Professor- E. Percival had communicated with the police and two more detectives had been dispatched to the scene of the theft.

Not only that, either. After the theft had taken place a memorandum was circulated to all departments advising the staff to observe special precaution*, as a thief was known to be operating in the west end. The biological department was able to report that the warning came too late.

Several other institutions had been visited durinu the previous few days, and, apparently by a process of elimination. it was decided that the thiefs next call would !>e at tlie university. Whatever the reason, a detective reported at !tlie university.

During a recess the staff of the biological department was assembled in one room, and it was only v hen the n.embers returned to their work that the loss of tlie wallet was dis<-overed. It disappeared f; "in s room which, in the ordinary -our-e would be diffK*ult to find, and ofiicbil- v.ere at a loss to explain for what reason a thief should venture into that part of the bnilding. Tt appeared, however, that his timely, or tintimelv. \ i-it wa* not hurried one was seen to enter or leave the premises.