VARIETY STAR'S LOSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

VARIETY STAR'S LOSS.

BURGLARS' £6OOO HAUL. ORNAMENTS AND FURS STOLEN. Jewellery and furs estimated to be worth £6OOO were stolen recently from a flat in Castellain Mansions, Maida Vale, t occupied by Mr. Clarence Johnstone, of tho famous coloured music-hall act, Layton and Johnstono. The burglary occurred between 8 p.m. and midnight, while Mr. and Mrs. Johnstono were out and the flat was unoccupied. When they returned they were unablo to enter owing to the fact that the chain behind the door had been fastened. Forcing the door, tho couple discovered a bedroom in disorder, and cupboards broken open. A jewel-case had 1 also been forced and its contents taken. ; Most of the jewellery belonged to Mrs. Johnstone. It consisted of diamond rings, diamond wrist watch, diamond pendant, 3 diamond bracelets, and diamond ear- " rings. A mink fur coat and a sablo stolo i wcro also taken. [ Tho burglars contented themselves with their haul from tho bedroom, for they ' did not visit any of the other rooms in ' the flat. They found a suitcase in the i bedroom, and took the jewellery away in this. 1 " We had some guests to dinner," Mr. Johnstone related, " and we left the > house at 8.15 to go to the London , Pavilion. After the performance we took 1 our guests to their homo at Epping > Forest. Wo reached our own flat about a-quartor past twelve. When we found wo could not enter we called the chauf--3 fcur, who forced the door. The window • of the kitchen at the back of the buildE ing was wide open, and there were footmarks on the sill and a cigarette stump on the nob. "In the bedroom we found that a drawor of tho dressing tabic and a small cashbox had been forced open, but nothing taken from them. The wardrobe door was wide open, and two of my wife's I fur coats had gone. A small case which t stood by tho bed had been opened, and my wife has lost all her jewellery except a few rings she was wearing. My little i dog had been doped, and is still far from i well. I sincorely hope they have not given him a slow poison." s Singularly tho silver used at dinner had not been touched. i """