CH.CH. BANK MYSTERY

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1927, Page 11

CH.CH. BANK MYSTERY

ATTEMPT ON STRONG ROOM. (Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 1. Last night the premises of the National Bank of New Zealand, at the corner of Hereford Street and Manchester Street, were under continuous police surveillance, following the startling discovery by the bank officials yesterday morning, that there was an audacious attempt by someone to enter the strongroom. When the staff arrived yesterday morning the big door of the strongroom could not be opened. Despite exhaustive attempts all endeavours to work the key in the lock were balked The staff had no access to the money, bills and other documents necessary for the bank’s business. Finally, the services of a lock .expert were sought. Temporary accommodation in money was arranged with another bank, so the customers might be met. The locksmith discovered a broken portion of a key stuck in the lock. This piece could not be dislodged. A hole had to be cut in the door, a laborious work completed by 1 p.m., when the valuable contents of the strongroom were found intact. The outside doors had not been tampered with. All the keys of the strongroom were accounted for thus giving the affair an air of mystery. Three members of the staff sleep on the upper storey of the premises, but they were not disturbed by any unusual noises during the night. It was deemed advisable last night to place the bank under police surveillance, and this was done. A reporter called on Mr W. F. Sparham, Chief Inspector from Wellington who is relieving Mr C. J. Ronaldson, manager, now in Australia for six weeks, but Mr Sparham said he preferred not to discuss the happening.