THEFT FROM R.S.A. SAFE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 11

THEFT FROM R.S.A. SAFE

REPORT TO EXECUTIVE A detailed* report on the theft of £73 15s lOd from the bar safe of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association clubrooms in Gloucester street on the night of July 26 was given to the executive by the secretary (Mr L. A. McKenzie) and made available in full to the newspapers. During general business, Mr G. McMillan said that the theft was not on the agenda and members would want a report. Mr D. W. Russell moved that the meeting go into committee. “Too much is taken in committee. I am sorry for the newspapers. They did not get a line from the last meeting,” said Mr McMillan. There had been letters in the newspapers on the theft, said a delegate. “Obviously inspired,”' said Mr Russell. When the president (Mr G. D. Hattaway) gave Mr D. Barrett an assurance that a statement would be issued afterwards, the meeting agreed to go into committee. After 10 minutes the meeting resumed and the full report was made available. It covered, in greater detail, the facts reported at the time—the entry was gained by a fanlight, the office entered, and keys to the bar found, swing doors in a corridor were forced, the bar door opened with the key found, a grill forced from the bar safe room, and the safe opened by a spare key left in the lock by the thief. The spare key to the safe was normally kept in the office strongroom which was locked at the time. There was no indication as to when it had been removed.