THEFT FROM RUINS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 188, 7 May 1931, Page 5

THEFT FROM RUINS

Napier Cathedral

TABLETS & LECTERN

Souvenir-hunters Blamed

Dominion Special Service. Napier, May 6.

The removal of several memorial tablets and other articles and fittings from St. John’s Cathedral, Napier, presumably by souvenir hunters is causing the authorities much concern.

When a start was made clearing the debris from the site It was discovered, much to the gratification of the vestry, that several memorial tablets and the lectern, which was a memorial to the late Dean Hovell, and many other articles were not damaged to any appreciable extent, and it was hoped they could be replaced in a temporary church when it was rebuilt.

Some days ago, however, it was found that several tablets and two lions from the lectern, and many fittings from the church had vanished. <

To-day a member of the vestry attributed the acts to irresponsible souvenir hunters,'who were insensible of the fact that the lost property was of considerable sentimental value to the church and to members of families who had contributed the memorial tablets. The articles have not in themselves great intrinsic value, and those people who have taken them could not profitably convert the articles into much money.