BURGLARS IN OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21861, 25 July 1934, Page 10

BURGLARS IN OFFICE

attempt to open safe DOOR JAMMED BY EXPLOSION SEARCH MADE FOR MONEY A determined but unsuccessful attempt to open a heavy safe in the office of Burke and Company, Limited, contractors, at 12 Kingston Street, City, was discovered when members of the staff arrived about 7.30 yesterday morning. The intruders, after finding that, a charge of explosive had served merely to jam the safe door firmly, evidently attempted to achieve their aim by the use of hammers, screwdrivers and other tools, found on the premises, as these were lying alongside the snfc yesterday.

Although baulked in their efforts to open the safe, which contained books and office records but no money, the burglars made an intensive search of the whole of tho company's premises. Desk drawers were opened and tho contents examined, and in the manager's office several letters * left sealed and ready for posting were opened, apparently in case they should contain money or valuables. The intruders gained only Is 3d for all their trouble, this money being taken from a desk in the general office.

Entry to the company's offices, which are on tho first floor of the building, was gained by a devious route. The thieves apparently mounted to the top of a low wall on a vacant section-in Federal Street, and thus reached the roof of a garage. Crossing the roof, they found an unlocked window at the back of Burke and Company's office suite, and so gained entry. The burglars found themselves in the staff's dressing-room, the door of which was locked. This difficulty 'was overcome by unscrewing part of the lock, the door, which gives access to a storeroom, being opened without further trouble. The door to the office also was locked, but the intruders broke a glass panel to reach tho catch on the inside.

Smocks belonging to girls employed by the company were taken from the dressing-room and piled round the safe to deaden the sound of the explosion. The smocks, some of them charred, were found lying beside the safe. The services of a locksmith were required to open the safe, so firmly had the explosion wedged the door. It was found, however, that the contents were undamaged.

FACTORY ENTERED

INTRUDER DISTURBED DIRECTOR PREVIOUSLY ROBBED The joinery factory of the Hanson Construction Company in Marlborough Street, Mount Albert, was entered last evening, but as far as is known nothing was removed. Shortly before nine o'clock Mr. A. Hole, who resides near the factory, heard someone moving about the building and the sound of timber being Bhifted. He immediately went to .the house of a neighbour, who telephoned to Mr, E. G. Hanson, director of the company. It is thought that the intruder was disturbed by Mr. Hole, as the factory was deserted when an inspection was made a few minutes later. It is not known how entrance was gained. » Mr. Hanson said last evening that Email quantities of timber were constantly being taken from the premises, but he did not think any was removed on this occasion.

A few days ago Mr. Hanson's residence at 117 Orakei Road, Remuera, was ransacked during the temporary absence of the occupants, and £lB or £2O was stolen from a wallet on a dressing table in a bedroom. The contents of the drawers and cupboards in the various bedrooms were examined by the intruder, and a bunch of keys, including the key of a safe containing £6B was handled, but the safe was not opened. A window at the back of the house had been forced open and used matches were found scattered about the staircase carpet. Outside the window an electric torch was found, apparently having been dropped by the intruder while he was climbing through the window.