HOTEL VAN FOUND

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29848, 14 June 1962, Page 14

HOTEL VAN FOUND

Money Still Missing (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 13. Four hours after a Waterloo Hotel yan was taken with £l3OO in cash and cheques today, a newspaper photographer found the vehicle deserted in Boulcott terrace in .he centre of the city. A Waterloo Hotel porter told the police he was tricked by a man who approached him and said: “Mrs Roberts (the licensee's wife) wants to see you.” He went back into the hotel leaving the money in the van. By the time the deception was discovered the vehicle had disappeared. The porter had been about to take the money to the bank. Soon after. Mr J. McKay, licensee of Barrett’s Hotel. Lambton quay, telephoned the police. He had found £lOOO in cheques, some silver, and also the bag in which the money had been placed, in a rubbish tin in a storeroom off a passageway leading in from Plimmer steps. The newspaper photographer discovered the van in a parking lot some distance from Barrett's Hotel Searching for a telephone he hailed a passing police car He told the occupants of the van's whereabouts.

The man who approached the porter was described as aged about 30. slim build, dark hair, an accent, wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. and sports trousers.

Police tonight were still looking for the thief and £359 in neatly-bundled notes