BOXES PILLAGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 18

BOXES PILLAGED.

LETTERS REMOVED. PROMPT POLICE ACTION. YOUTHS TO BE CHARGED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHUIvCH, Friday. Eleven pillar-boxes on the southeastern side of the city were broken into at night and their contents stolen. Most of the letters have now, however, been recovered through the prompt action of the police, and it is understood that two youths will shortly lie charged with the offences. Nearly two hundred letters were taken, and many of them were opened or mutilated in some way. A numlier of the letters were strewn along streets, while it is understood that the youths caught bv the police had more letters in their possession. Most of the pillaged boxes were situated in the Liuwood area, and it was from there that the first theft was reported. A large munlier of the damaged envelopes have been officially sealed and sent on to their destination, and all the Christchurch letters were delivered next afternoon. Some of the letters were, however, badly torn, and the postal authorities are still trying to piece them together and replace them in the correct envelopes or return them to the sender.

It is possible that in some instances the contents will be incomplete. The sorting out of the letters means a great

deal of extra and difficult work

officers of the Department. Incidentally, people who receive letters posted in any of the eleven boxes may find that the contents are mixed to a large or small extent. With each of the letters the Department has sent out an explanatory note to save confusion. It is some time since posting-boxes in the city have been interfered with, but there have been reports of illegalities concerning public telephone booths. A Post Office official said that the almost immediate apprehension of those involved in this instance would serve as a warning.