WESTPORT BURGLARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 September 1934, Page 2

WESTPORT BURGLARY

GRIFFEN & SMITH’S PREMISES. Noticing a light and heating unusualf sounds in Grifton and Smith’s Ltd premises, Westport, at about 3 am on Sundhy. Mr P. W' lives next to the btnldms. became suspicious and decided to investigate. He went into the street and found the nightwatchman, Mr H. Todd, and the policeman on night duty, Constable C. George, and they waited near the premises and watched. It was not long before the intruder made his appearance, carrying a sack over his shoulder. When he was called upon to stop, he dropped what he was carrying and ran off down Henley Street .turning into Russell Street with Constable George in pursuit. After an exciting chase for several blocks, Constable George overtook the man and arrested him. Norman Alexander Borlase ’ appeared before Messrs E. R. Fox and G. M. Powell, J.P.’s, yesterday, charged that on September 2, he did break and enter Griffen and Smith’s warehouse by night, and did steal goods to the value of £l4/9/5, the property of Griffen and Smith, Ltd. The goods, which were recovered, included one case of Dewar’s whisky, three boxes of cigarette tobacco, one box 67 Craven A cigarettes, two packets of tea, several packets of matches, a few tins of Doan’s Ointment and several packets of Chamberlain’s tablets. Sergeant J. Mclntyre appeared for the police, and Mr M. B. Scully represented the accused. G. R. Wimsett, manager for Griffen and Smith, Ltd., said that he commenced duties as manager on September 1. No one resided on the premises. At 12.30 p.m. on Saturday last, the premises were closed for the day, witness being the last to leave. In the afternoon he went to the warehouse and saw that the back and front doors we'e secure.' On Sunday, with the p.-lice, he again inspected the doors, There were three keys to the front door, all of which were in his possession. He found on inspection that it was possible to open the sliding door at the back from the outside; but only a person familiar with the premises would be aware of the fact. The firm had similar lines in the warehouse to those produced. Witness knew the accused, who had no authority to remove or interfere with the goods. The accused had worked for the firm as a traveller for eight years or more and that employment ceased about two years ago. After evidence was given by Mr P. Ryan, Constable George, and Sergeant Mclntyre, accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Westport on Thursday, for sentence. —“Westport Times.”