HOME BURGLED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26614, 10 November 1947, Page 4

HOME BURGLED

MISS NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING AND JEWELLERY STOLEN P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 9. The home of Miss Mary Wootton, winner of the Miss New Zealand contest, at 51 North Avon road, Richmond, was broken into on Saturday evening and a large quantity of clothing and jewellery was stolen. With her parents, Miss Wootton left her home about 8 p.m. to attend a reception at the New Zealand Industries Fair. When they returned home about 10.40 p.m., the front door was wide open. Only a few hours previously, Miss Wootton had returned by plane from Wellington.

“It is thought that the theft took place at about 8.30 p.m. on Saturday,” said Mr L. Wootton, Miss Wootton’s father, to-day. A friend passing his home at this time noticed lights on in the house and thought the family had forgotten to turn them off when they went out.

It was a nasty anti-climax for his daughter and had upset her, said Mr Wootton. Many ,of Miss Wootton’s dresses, shoes, clothing, and jewellery which she had taken away with her for the contest in Wellington, and which had not been unpacked from the suitcase, were among the articles stolen. The jewellery included family articles valued at between £l5O-£2OO which could never be replaced. While in Wellington, Miss Wootton was presented with an honorary member’s badge of the Royal Society of St. George, and this was among the articles stolen. About £8 in money was also taken from her room as well as two fountain pens. A gold watch, gloves, hand bags, and a purse were taken from Mrs Wootton’s room, as well as two fountain pens belonging to Mr Wootton, and some of his clothing. It was estimated that about £l2 in money was missing from the house. Entrance was gained through an open lead-light window in Mrs Wootton’s bedroom.