SHOP WINDOWS BROKEN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13094, 16 February 1937, Page 5

SHOP WINDOWS BROKEN

VANDALISM AT TE HAPAKA. Wanton vandalism is apparent m the breaking of two valuable plate glass windows at To Uapava on bunday evening. A window was broken iu the premises ol' Mr. 11. R. Richards, butcher, and another in the premises of Messrs. -J. and A. Bartrom, bakers, on opposite corners <4 the Lytton and Gladstone roads intersection.

At the latter shop, three distinct, holes arc in the window, two near the bottom and the third at the top. Lying beside the window were the shattered fragments of a heavy white jar of the sort used ioi' ointments or toilet lotions. A girl living in the neighbourhood states that she remembers seeing this jar, unbroken, lying in the drain near the shop, and its presence provided a handy weapon for the miscreants. Having apparently broken the jar, they used a .stone as a second weapon.

The stone .used to break the window in Mr. Richards’ shop was sti.il lying in the window yesterday morn ing, and was left undisturbed for inspection by the police.

Mr. Richards was about his premises until 9 p.m. o:i Sunday, when all was well. Mrs. Griffiths, • who- manages Messrs Bartrom’s To Hapara branch,, was iu bed when she heard a. crash about 9.31) p.m. on Sunday. She intended to investigate, but no further noise or cause for. alarm was apparent, and as the corner is naturally a noisy one with a great deal of traffic, she assumed that the sound she heard came from a passing vehicle.

Police- investigations are proceed-