In brief

Press, 26 September 1988, Page 6

In brief

Jacket taken A man was allegedly robbed of his denim jacket at the Anglican City Mission, in Hereford Street, on Saturday night. The victim was placed in a headlock and had his jacket pulled off him, according to police. A man, aged 23, will appear in the District Court today charged with robbery. The incident occurred about 10 p.m. Car thieves busy Car thieves were busy in Christchurch at the weekend, with about 40 vehicles unlawfully taken since 5 p.m. on Friday. Between 20 and 30 cars are normally taken during a week-end in the city. Final figures will not be known until today. Indecent assault A girl, aged 14, was grabbed from behind and indecently assaulted at a party in Mount Pleasant on Saturday evening, according to the police. A youth, aged 18, has been interviewed in connection with the incident. Inquiries are continuing. Vicar above ground Above ground and enjoying the spaciousness of his home, the Rev. Simon Ballantyne described his recent 47-hour sojourn in a buried garden shed as physically confining. Mr Ballantyne, the vicar of St Anne’s in St Martins, went underground on Thursday in a shed buried in a hole dug in an empty section at the corner of Brougham Street and Waltham Road. The fundraising stunt was excellent publicity for the church fair and about $7OOO was raised by both events, Mr Ballantyne said. He emerged from his earth-bound hideaway on Saturday to be greeted by a large crowd, and just in time to take part in fair activities. Reading, talking on his especially installed telephone, and shifting the contents of the shed took up much of his underground time, he said. This is the third stunt he has done in the name of the church and while he thinks next year’s stunt will involve the garden shed, he has no idea what form the fundraising activity will take. S.€.F. raises $34,000 The North Canterbury District of Save the Children Fund, which includes Christchurch, raised about $34,000 in this week-end’s fundraising appeal. The New Zealand President of the Save the Children Fund, Mrs Betty Pearson, said about half a million dollars had been raised nationally and organisers were thrilled with the response; Mrs Pearson said about $4300 had been raised in the Ashburton district and $13,000 in South Canterbury. ~