DYNAMITERS AT WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13762, 29 May 1908, Page 5

DYNAMITERS AT WORK.

RAILWAY , STATION ENTERED. . . LARGE SUM OF MONEY STOLEN. [BY tkleceaph.—press ASSOCIATION'. ] Greyhouth, Thursday. A daring burglary, was committed at Otira last night, when the railway station was entered by the window and the safe, which contained £81 in notes, gold, silver, and £30 in cheques, was blown open by dynamite and the money stolen. It appears that entrance to the building was gained by breaking the catch of the window facing the platform. The thieves bad evidently well planned the affair, and it is surmised that the keyhole of the safe was plugged up with gelignite, a detonator with fuse attached adhering thereto. The keyhole was then covered with moss, and the whole smothered with damp clay, mail-bags being piled in front of the door and fastened down in a fashion with an iron bar or brake handle. The fuse was evidently then lit, with the result that the safe was very little damaged, with the exception of the lock, which was smashed to atoms and the front cap blown off. As soon as the news was received in Greymoulh a special train was at once despatched conveying Detective Campbell, a constable, and Mr. Ashley, traffic manager. On the way up several swaggers were met with, and- the train was stopped on each occasion, but in every case a satisfactory explanation was given, and the men were allowed to proceed. On arrival at Otira the police took every precaution to secure all available evidence. On one pane of glass finger-prints were discernible, which may materially assist in bringing the culprits to justice.