COSTLY FROCKS STOLEN

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1931, Page 11 (Supplement)

COSTLY FROCKS STOLEN

WOMAN’S £BOO LOSS. CLOTHING AND JEWELLERY. ,Mfs. Eve Johns, recognised as one o# the best-dressed women in Sydney, and always an outstanding figure on the racecourses, lost frocks worth £6OO one night recently. Thieves ransacked her flat, and stole 'clothing and jewellery to the total 'value'of £800; Mrs. Johns’ husband, Mr. George Johns, is /a well-known paddock' ‘bookmaker, and an ex-welterweight champion boxer of Australia. The robbery occurred at his beautiful flat at Randwick, while he was giving an exhibition at Les O’Donnell’s benefit at the Stadium. It was the first time for 18 years that Mr. Johns had been in the ring. When Mr. and Mrs. Johns returned home about 11.15 they found everything in the flat upside down. The contents of drawers had been strewn about, the mattress was bn the floor, shoes and. silverware were scattered about the rooms, and expensive underclothing was piled before the wardrobe. The thieves, who had evidently watched the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Johns, daringly climbed up the front of .the flats, swung over a balcony, lowered the sunshade, and then damaged two balcony doors before gaining entry. Frocks specially imported by Mrs. Johns were taken. Included in the haul was a Russian squirrel'coat, which cost £175; a beautiful stole, an ermine coat, and a black and gold sequin evening frock with head-dress were also taken. The next day Mrs. Johns, who usually has an abundance of beautiful frocks, had only 'one street frock and one evening frock. Mr. Johns, who lost ’ten suits and two dinner mills, was left only the clothing that he was wearing. The thieves cast aside a bedspread and curtains valued by Mrs. Johns at £5O. Mrs. Johns said that among the stolen property was ‘ clothing which could not be" boiight'im Sydney. Her squirrel coat wad* most■•\iniisital;' arid she could easily identify it-