SHUT IN A SAFE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8181, 24 July 1912, Page 1

SHUT IN A SAFE

BOY’S PERILOUS POSITION

RESCUED IN A STATE OF COLLAPSE. PBESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, July 23. News that a boy was shut up inside a safe in Her Majesty’s Arcade to-night soon drew a crowd to tho vicinity, ami caused some excitement and not a little alarm. vSome boys were sky-larking round a safe which had been left by a tenant of tho buildings in the passage-way, preparatory to being installed in his office. One of the lads got into tho safe, whereupon some of hie companions slammed the door upon him. To their consternation they were unable to open it again. Tho handle of the door was broken, and they had no means of releasing their imprisoned companion.

Appeal was made to a bystander. A constable was fetched, and efforts were made with tho aid of a screw-driver, a chisel and hammer to prise the door open. These amateur attempts at safe-break-ing were watchrd by an ever-increasing crowd for three-., . ters of an hour, and as the minutes passed many anxious expressions were heard as to the safety of the captive boy. Eventually, after locksmiths had been sought and burglars’ tools desired in vain, the caretaker of the theatre arrived on the scene, and with the aid of a cold chisel managed to turn the handle of the safe door, nnd pulling it open released the juvenile prisoner. The latter was covered with perspiration and in an evident state of , partial collapse. His reappearance was hailed with delight by his companions.. who bore him off in triumph after what had been a most unenviable experience.