THEATRE TAKINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1938, Page 9

THEATRE TAKINGS

HOTEL PORTER’S THEFT

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, September 28

The theft of am attache case containing £4B in cash and 10 cheques amounting to £175 2/10, making a total of £223 2/10, was admitted by Frederick Hilton, aged 26, alter the hearing before Mr. J. H. Luxton, S.M.. and Hilton was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. At one stage Hilton collapsed and fell heavily to the floor. He was carried out by detectives, but returned within a few minutes. The story told was that for several years past it had been the practice of certain theatre proprietors to take the cash to the Hotel St. George to be placed in the strong room of the manager’s office. On the evening of the theft Miss Hanson, secretary to the proprietor of the Roxy and Paramount Theatres, entered the hall of the hotel and was approached by Hilton, who was a night porter. He took possession of the bag and went in the direction of the manager’s office. Later it was discovered that the lift was not working, and a search was made for Hilton, who could not be found. The following morning the strong room was opened and the bag was missing. Hilton was traced to Palmerston North and was found with the case and. practically all the money in his possession.