ATTEMPTED BURGLARY. AMATEUR CRACKSMEN AT WORK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 52, 2 March 1908, Page 8

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY. AMATEUR CRACKSMEN AT WORK.

Between Saturday night and this morning an attempt was made by burglars to secure a haul from the jewellery shop of P. Pierard, Lambton-quay. The burglar, or burglars, commenced operations in the shop of J. M. Hardy, photographer, adjoining. An entrance was made to his premises by breaking a window at the rear. A brace and bit was then used to cut a square hole in a double wooden wall (large enough to admit the body of a man) separating tho two shops. When this work had been accomplished, the thieves discovered what they evidently conceived to be another wall, but what was really the lower deck of a showcase, containing plate and silverware of every description, at the rear of tho counter m Pierard's shop. The uninvited visitors must have been disturbed when they got thus far. When Mr. Hardy reached his shop this morning he discovered what had happened, and the police now have the matter in hand. It is clear that the thieves were amateurs in the gentle art of burglarising from the manner in which they went about their work. Nothing whatever was stolen from Mr. Pierard's and Mr. Hardy's goods were not interfered with.

So far the officer commanding the district (Lieut.-Colonel Bauchop) has riot given his decision in the case of the members of the Johnsonville Rifle Corps who recently appeared before a Board of Enquiry to answer a charge in insubordination. The decision of the board has not yet been made public, but it is understood that the officer commanding the district will act upon it whichever way it goes, although it was quite competent for him to have dealt with tho issue raised without referring it to any other tribunal. The question at issue is simple. Two lieutenants were elected to the corps on the same day, und the men conceived the idea that they had the power to elect one as senior and" the other as junior. As a matter of fact they have no such power, and the head office simply pursued its ordinary course, fixing seniority by the simple process of using the alphabet as a quide — Mr. M. was senior, Mr. W., was junior. Also, the head office takes up the stand that it cannot be controlled in its choice by the members of the corps ; once the lieutenants are electpd the hfi'dd office fixes their seniority. The corps is greatly agitated over the matter, and the decision it awaited with very great interest. A trio of young men — John McMahon, Anthony Franklin Green, and John Hayes — were arrested on Saturday night, charged with having behaved in a disorderly manner on board the 11 p.m. Manawatu train. This morning they wtre charged with tho offence before Mr. Riddell, S.M., and remanded on the application of Mi". Wilford until Friday. A similar course was adopted in a case in which Hayes was further charged) with having assaulted Nelson Wood. Peter Hayland and Harry Kemmorley were each fined 405,. in default seven days' imprisonment, for haying fought in York-street on Saturday night. For having used obscene language in Adelaide-road, Daniel Anderson was fined 40s, in default seven days' imprisonment. A similar chargo against Philip Yon Kiorsenberg was adjourned until Wednesday, 1 on the application of Mr. P. Jackson. Frances Martin was convicted of indency in Old Custom House-quay, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, on the understanding that sho remained in tho Salvation Army Home for three months. For insobriety Annie Cain, and Wm. Hodges were each fined 10s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, one first offender was convicted and discharged, two were fined 10s, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and two others were fined half that amount. It is understood that Mr. P. Sheridan, Government Native Land Purchase Office, is to retire from the public service at the end of the month on compensation. Mr. Sheridan come to New Zealand with the 14th Regiment, and served against the Maoris. Afterwards he was a clerk in the Defence office and subsequently acco.untant to tho Native Land Purchase Department. Ho became Chief Land Purchase Officer in 1890. "A tram conductor is a public servant and must be protected," said Mr. Riddell, S.M., to-day, when a young man named James M'Coll was found guilty of having assaulted Bernard H. Wells. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan stated tho defendant was asked to leavo a car on Saturday night for having used offensive language. Just as the car was about io continue its journey defendant struck Wells a couple of blows. A scuffle followed, and defendant was arrested. A fine of 40s, with 5a costs, in default seven days'' imprisonment was imposed. Defendant) was represented by Mr. Ilerdnian. For being an idlo and disorderly person having no lawful visible moans of support, Frenk. Lynoss, an elderly man, was remanded until 3rd inst., in order to give the police an opportunity of getting him into the Ohiro homo. In connection with tho opening of a now Leiazt organ, a recital will bo given to-night by Mr. Harold Godicr in the Primitive Methodist Church, Donald M'Lean-strcut, To-morrow, at 1 p.m., Messrs. Harconrt and Co. will Bell by public auction on tho I prcmi«uß, Wiudhovrr, 54, irSiougham-ptracf, a quantity of housphoUl furnituro and effects, including plalodwaro. Tho annual mealing of tho Welsh Sooiety will bo hold in Uodbor's Booini this owning. i