SAFE BLOWERS AT WORK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 73, 8 March 1933, Page 6

SAFE BLOWERS AT WORK

GELIGNITE USED. WELLINGTON GIRLS’ COLLEGE ROBBED. Wellington, March 8. During Monday night or early yesterday morning burglars entered two buildings in the city, and blew the safes, obtaining: £lBO from one. It is understood that in each case the job was done by the same persons, who appear to be experts. The operations were carried out in the Wellington Girls’ College, Pipitea Street, from where the whole amount was taken, and St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Mikgrave Street, where their efforts were fruitless. The first intimation that a robbery had been committeed was when the premises were opened at the usual time yesterday. The caretaker stated that he heard no noise during the evening, and as the weather on Monday was particularly boisterous it is probable that the safeblowing would not be heard any great distance away. It appears that the burglars first entered the principal’s room and went through a door which opens from there into the office. LEISURELY OPERATION. Gelignite was found on tho floor around the safe, and several drawer* which did not contain money were opened. In the principal’s room cigarette butts were found on the floor, which gave the impression that the men hud taken their time and gone about the work coolly. Soap had beeu taken from a wash-basin and used to plug up the doors to prevent tho noise being heard outside. The money stolen was contained in envelopes, and was to have been paid out in accounts yesterday. No bank account is kept, but the college has a post office account. It was too late to deposit the money on Monday, the secretary putting it in the envelopes, which were placed in the safe. This is the second time the college has been robbed. On the last occasion £ll was stolen, but it was later returned after an arrest had been made. The headmistress, Miss Greig, stated last evening that tho recent loss had hit the college severely and that it would take a long time to recover. She said that the loss was not tho responsibility of the board. PRO-CATHEDRAL ENTERED. A similar attempt on St. Paul’s ProCathedral also was made. The safe had been blown with gelignite, but the door jammed and could not be opened. A special collection had been taken up on Sunday and it is stated that the intruders must have been aware of this fact. The money, however, had been i banked in the morning and the safe | contained very little of value. Entrance apparently had been gained through a window’. The verger discovered what had happened when he opened the church at • I o’clock yesterday morning. Cassocks had been used to deaden the 1 sound.