ROBBED WHILE PRAYING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 498, 21 July 1932, Page 5

ROBBED WHILE PRAYING

WIDOW'S LOSS THIEVES IN~CITY CHURCH MELBOURNE, July 15.—While Mrs Mary Walley, a young widow, of Wright Street, Middle Park, was praying in St. Francis's Church, Lonsdale Street, at 3.45 p.m. yesterday, a thief stole a ruby and diamond engagement ring, a small diamond ring, a halfsovereign and 30s in notes, from her handbag, which she placed on the seat beside her. Mrs. Walley, whose husband died in the Caulfield Military Hospital three months ago from war injuries, estimates her loss at £7O. For sentimental reasons she greatly valued the rings, both of which were given to her by her husband, and she is appealing to the thief to return them. "I have naturally been very unhappy since my husband's death," said Mrs Walley to-day, "and yesterday afternoon I went into St. Francis's to pray. Bag on Seat "Before kneeling down I placed my handbag behind me on the seat. In the next seat 1 saw two women, and there were only two other people in the church. When 1 was going out I noticed that the two women were not there, but I was not suspicious.

"After 1 got home I noticed that the clasp of the purse inside the handbag was open, and 1 discovered that I had been robbed while in church, and rang for the police wireless patrol. The woman who apparenly robbed me must have put her hand over the seat, as she could not reach the handbag any other way. Previous Thefts

"I also treasured the half sovereign, as it had been given to my seven-year-old boy when he was born. 1 kept the rings in my handbag for safety, and little dreamt that 1 would be robbed in ?. church.

"1 went out to work so that I would not have to sell the small diamond ring which my husband gave me before ho died." Several similar thefts from St. Francis's Church were reported to the pol ice some time ago, with the result that special watch was kept and an arrest, made.

If is thought by the police that a gang of professional women thieves who are concentrating on thefts from women's handbags in churches and shops is operating.

A chimney at the Jubilee Board, ingliouse crashed through a skylight into a bathroom and bedroom. A moment before a lodger had changed his mind abcut having a bath; he washed his hands and left the room. Immediately the shake came bricks crashed into the bath. The earthquake sent most people flying into the open, but in a few minutes the town again presented its normal appearance. Elsewhere in Taranaki the earthquake apparently was not so severe as in New Plymouth jSome stock was shaken I'nm shelves in shops at Inglewood. The shake was sharp at Eltham and Hawera, but no damage was reported. Rush for Streets WANGANUI, To-day.—The earth, quake was comparable in intensity to the shock felt at the time of the disastrous Hawke's Bay shake. There was a general rush for the streets. Plaster fell from the walls in some chimneys, and the ticps of several chimneys in private residences were brought down. The greatest damage was done at Wanganui East, although bricks fell from chimneys at Gonville and along the foot of St. John's Hill. However, the damage is estimated at only a small amount, and no personal in. i'liy resulted.

Over a dozen chimneys fell at Patca, whore the shake was apparently more severe than at Wangamii At Taihape the shake was not severe, and no damage was dune. Preceded by a distinct rumble, the earthquake lasted about 30 seconds at Masterton.

A severe shake was reported at Nelson. It was milder at Murchison. but more severe at Takaka, where it registered between <> and 7 on the It ssi-Forel scale. The shake was felt also at the French Pass. No damage is reported.

Westport reports a severe shod with a lons, swaying motion. N( damage is reported.