SCRAMBLE FOR JEWELLERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8797, 26 April 1907, Page 1

SCRAMBLE FOR JEWELLERY.

There was a wild scramble for j gold brooches, rings, bracelets, and other articles of jewellery in Ludgate Hill on a recent Saturday evening, and a strange scene illustrated the proverb, "Opportunity makes the thief. Shortly after 7 o'clock a man, who subsequently gave his name as William Taylor, aged 37, is alleged to have smashed with his fist the shop window of Messrs White and 00., jewellers, No. 6 Ludgate Hill. The man, according to the testimony of eye witnesses, seized tray after tray containing various articles of gold jewellery and flung them into the roadway.

The sequel was remarkable. In the vioinity was a small crowd, consisting in part of those who were standing at the spot and in part of passers by, but all apparently being there without dishonest purpose. This assembly at once grabbed as many golden trinkets as it could lay hands on. At first sight it may have been thought that these 'people were recovering the proprety for the rightful owners, but as a fact very few of the gems were restored, and during the time which lapsed before the arrival of the police a remarkable exodus of the eager gleaners had taken place. So far the police have no'inforination which shows that these

"pickers up of unconsidered trifles' were confederates of the man who smashed the window. Taylor himself made no attempt to run away, and it is said that only tlireo rings were found in his possession. After the trays had been flung in the road he stood his ground. A civilian, however, who endeavoured to arrst him was thrown down, and the first oonstable on the scene met with the same fate. The value of the stolen articles is estimated at £SOO. The stock was [insured against burglary.