CATHOLIC CHURCHES ROBBED

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 June 1937, Page 5

CATHOLIC CHURCHES ROBBED

CHCH. OFFERTORY BOXES. [per press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 19. The Roman Catholic Cathedral. Barba does Street, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Manchester Street, were both entered by thieves on Friday night. Some of the offertory boxes were rifled, but no other church property was stolen.

Entrance was gained in both cases by breaking through leadlights, that in a door of St. Mary’s Church being removed. Efforts were apparently made to open all the boxes, but some of them could not be opened, several of those in the Cathedral being set into (he wall, with brass faces, and some of those at St. Mary’s being constructed of boiler tubing. It is not known how much money was in those which the thieves succeeded in opening, but it is thought that the amounts were not very large. CENTENARY ARRANGEMENTS. AUCKLAND, June 19. Headed by his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Panico, a strong Australian delegation will arrive at Auckland for rhe New Zealand Roman Catholic centenary celebrations on the morning of Saturday, February 26 next, the day before the official programme opens. Within the last few days, arrangements have been completed for an alteration in the schedule of the motor-ship Wanganella to allow of her leaving Sydney on Tuesday, February 22, so as to arrive immediately before the beginning of the celebrations. It is anticipated that large numbers of Australian Roman Catholics, including prelates and priests, will travel on the Wanganella. It is pointed out that accommodation in Auckland during centenary week will be at a premium.