BURGLARS ACTIVE

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18917, 4 February 1927, Page 10

BURGLARS ACTIVE

ANOTHER RAID IN AUCKLAND. DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT RANSACKED. [THE rRKBB Special Berries.] AUCKLAND, February 3. The general drapery establishment of A. aaid M. Booth iu Manukou road, tho Royal Oak, was entered some time between 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. yesterday morning. An examination of the stock revealed tho fact that a large quantity had been removed, consisting of dress goods, crepo de chine, hosiery, etc., estimated to bo worth between £6O and £IOO. The burglars appeared to have taken their time over tho business, as only the best things in the shop were removed. Other articles were thrown, on the floor and often wero trampled underfoot and spoilt. Miss Booth says that tho state f<f the shop floor reminded her of an Irish stew. There was 6uch u heterogeneous collection of drapers', matches, and boxes lying about. Entrance to the premises had been made through a window at the rear of the shop. These windows ar"e provided with wooden shutters on the inside and with a wooden bar across the centre. After a pane of glass had been broken the shutter was levered out at the bottom and then pushed down on to the floor.

The neighbourhood is becoming notorious for burglaries. Tliero is scarcely a shop in this block that has not been entered, or an attempt made to enter it. The last big burglary took place a few months ago when a safe was removed from the Post Office at the Royal Oak and carried half a mile away up Mount Albert road. On that occasion tho thieves borrowed an osry-ace-tone welding plant from a qarago with a view to breaking open the 6afe. A petition is now being signed by all the business people in the vicinity of the Royal Oak asking for more police protection. About 30s in cash was taken from Mi« Booth's shop in addition to the got?r!s stolen.