BURGLARY IN THE CITY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 6

BURGLARY IN THE CITY.

ROBBERY AT A DRAPER’S SHOP. DYNAMITE USED ON A SAFE. A report that Messrs Finlay McLeod and Co.’s drapery store, at the corner of Cuba and Ghuznee streets, had been burglariously entered during the. night, and the firm’s safe broken open with dynamite, caused great consternation in business circles early yesterday morning. ' . ~ On inquiry, it was learned that when Mr McLeod x'oturned to the shop at 8.30 yesterday morning, after having made everything secure on the previous evening, h e found that somebody had tampered with one of the windows facing Ghuznee street. His suspicions being aroused, he hurriedly, proceeded to investigate. He then discovered that the fanlight over the back entrance had been broken, and that the doors were open. Inside the shop all was confusion. The safe, Mr McLeod noticed at once, had been removed from its usual stand and broken open. Dynamite had apparently been used, as a piece of fuse was found lying near at hand, and a blanket, evidently used to muffle the noise of an explosion, had been blown over an iron railing, from which it still hung suspended. A crowbar bearing the name of the Wellington City Tramways was also found in the shop," and had the appearance of having been used in prizing open the safe. The safe had contained £lO4. Of this sum £2l 13s was in cheques and drafts. This amount may b e recovered. The balance was in notes, gold and silver. Thirty shillings in gold' was found among the litter on the floor. About £2O worth of clothing was also taken. A, Chinese neighbour reports having heard a sound like the breaking of glass at about 2 o’clock and again at about 3 o’clock. ____ ■