RAFFLE STOCKING FOUND IN DOMAIN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30289, 15 November 1963, Page 17

RAFFLE STOCKING FOUND IN DOMAIN

The £5O Christmas stocking being raffled by the New Brighton Convent School Committee has been recovered after being stolen from the parish hall last week-end. It was found yesterday in the Rawhiti Domain, covered with grass. Boys at the school were playing cricket when the ball was hit into trees lining the playing area in the domain. One of the searchers stumbled over the stocking. The stocking contained an electric razor, a steam iron, garden tools, a travelling alarm clock, wrist-watch, sweets, and many toys Hundreds of raffle tickets had been sold when the stocking, not insured, was stolen. “We are jubilant. The stocking was in good condition and the contents intact except for the wrist-watch, which is missing,” said Mr N. R. Lewis, the organiser of the raffle, last evening. “The publicity given to the mean theft by ‘The Press’ was responsible for the thief getting cold feet. We are sure of that, and the local police are of the same opinion.

"The area where the stocking was found yesterday was searched thoroughly on Sunday evening. The stocking had been hidden there, so

that it would be tripped over, after the report appeared in ‘The Press.’ It rained heavily on Monday night, but the grass covering the stocking and its contents were perfectly dry when the stocking was found yesterday.” Mr Lewis said that arrangements had been made to replace the goods in the stolen Christmas stocking, but these could be cancelled now. The proceeds from the raffle are to provide amenities at the school. The raffle will be drawn on December 18. The police are still making inquiries into the theft. The sum of £8 was stolen from mission and Red Cross boxes at the school, next door to the parish hall, during the week-end the Christmas stocking was stolen.