HEARD ON THE TELEPHONE

Mataura Ensign, 25 January 1912, Page 5

HEARD ON THE TELEPHONE

ACCIDENTAL "CALL." A burglary at the Hackney Picture Palace, Mare street, Hackney, in the early hours of yesterday morning was frustratec in an extraordinary manner (say, the 'Daily Mail' of December 15). About 1.30 a telephone operator in the local exchange received a signal from the instrument which connects with the picture theatre, and on attending to it received no reply hut heard strange noises in the thcatie. He informed the police, who proceeded to the spot, and on gaining admission found the box office in great confusion. A heavy iron safe had been dislodged and round it were strewn tools, but there was no sign of any person on the premises. It is supposed that burglars had secreted themselves on the premises after the performance on Sunday night, and when all was quiet they had attempted to remove the safe into the theatre, for a roller for effecting this purpose was found in the box office. It is supposed that in doing this they knocked off the telephone receiver and the call was thus given to the exchange. The burglars left very hurriedly, for the safe, which contained £6O, had not been broken into.