CATHEDRAL THEFT

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1932, Page 5

CATHEDRAL THEFT

Man Caught AFTER BREAKING MISSION BOX. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND. March 14. Detained in the vestry of St. Maryas Cathedral. Parnell, yesterday, by Canon Fancourt, and later handed over to the police, Clarence Albert Butterfield, aged 29, cabinetmaker, was charged with stealing £1 1 9 6d from the collection box at the Cathedral. The Verger. Mr W. Hickmott, believed thafc the mission and poor boxes placed in the Cathedral were being tampered with, so he returned to the Cathedral about one p.m. yesterday. Five minutes after he arrived, he saw the young man enter by the southern door and tamper with one of the collection boxes. ll e accosted Butterfield, and then called on Canon Fan court, who was nearby. The Canon detained Butterfield in the Vestry until the police arrived. The mission box was later found open, part of th? latch having been removed. It was empty When Butterfield appeared in the Police Court to-day. he pleaded guilty. “This man has also stolen from St. Sepulchre’s Church, and it is alleged that lu? also stole Canon Fancourt’s attache case,” said Detective-Sergeant Kelly, i u obtaining a remand until March 21. Butterfield’s request for bail was refused.