THIEVES ACTIVE IN WELLINGTON

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 6

THIEVES ACTIVE IN WELLINGTON

SHOP’S SAFE EXPERTLY BLOWN OPEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 29. Shop-breakers were active in tne Courtenay place area over the weeKend. Four places were entered: the Kiwi Meat Company, Browne’s Home Furnishing Company, and Halls Shoe Store, all in Courtenay place, and the tobacconist’s shop of Harry StocKforth, Cambridge terrace. From Mr Stockforth’s shon £22 10s was taken, together with a small amount of tobacco. Entry and exit were made by a fafflight over the door. At Browne’s Home Furnishing Company a padlock on the main door was forced and the door jemmied open. A safe under the counter in a side office was blown open. It contained only about 30s in silver, which was taken. The safeblowing was aPPa*' ently the work of an expert. The charge was judged to a nicety to blow off the locking mechanism inside without damaging the contents. To deaden the sound of the explosion elaborate precautions were taken. “The best fancy cushions in the shop ana good carpeting were used to build UP a muffle,” said a member of the staffAt the Kiwi Meat Company a glass panel in the front door was smashed. The entry was made between 2 a.m apd 3.10 a.m. on Sunday. About £1 or 30s in coin and half a dozen bottles of beer were taken. Details of the entry to Halls Shoe Store were refused both by the pro* prietor and the police.