THIEVES AT WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12239, 7 April 1903, Page 5

THIEVES AT WORK.

PREMISES BROKEN INTO. The. influx of undesirable characters from Australian ports has been on the increase of late, and it behoves residents of the city and suburbs to take more than ordinary precaution for the protection of their property. Some of these men come to Auckland ostensibly in search of work, and, being unable to'find it, turn their attention in a direction which sooner or later must land .them in trouble. Petty thefts have been frequently reported to the police during the past month, and in many cases clothes-lines have been robbed. During the latter end of the past week the residence of Mrs. Kate Murrav, in Manuka,, Road, Parnell, was entered in the daytime, during the temporary absence of the occupants. Mrs. Murray herself was away lor a period of less than an hour, and had left but one window unfastened. On her return she was startled by finding that the house had been ransacked and that practically all the jewellery belonging to the family, comprising watches, rings, chains, brooches, and other valuables, had been stolen. The total value of the articles was estimated at between £30 and £40, but Mrs. Murray felt keenly the loss of a valuable inlaid wooden box, which was prized by Mrs. Murray as an heirloom. Entrance had been effected by a back window, and the robbery may be characterised as a daring one, as the house laces the tram-lines, and is closely overlooked by a number of houses at the rear. The shop of Mr. E. Eugster, in Upper Queen-street, was broken open on Sundayevening, and goods to the value of £14 abstracted therefrom. The robbery was a bold one, as the front door of the premises, abutting on the street, usually a crowded thoroughfare, was found to have been prized open, evidently with a coldchisel. Mr. Eugster, who lives on the premises, left home at four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and returned at a quarterci' 8 * nane p.m.. having attended the City Hall service. He found the door open, and on investigation discovered that ei<dit gentlemen's and four ladies' silver watches baa been abstracted from a counter-case, also a watch and a Coronation gift spoon from the window. All the goods bore Mr. Eugster's special brand, and this should assist in their identification. In their hurry the thieves had evidently overlooked some other watches that were on the wall behind the counter. It is supposed that the thieves were cognisant of Mr. Burster's movements, and watched his departure during- the afternoon. Shopkeepers in the locality feel that the present police protection thereabouts is insufficient, as the length of the beat embraces too large an area to enable a constable to keep the shops under observation.