SHOP BROKEN INTO

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16503, 2 August 1919, Page 2

SHOP BROKEN INTO

■OUTBREAK OF FIRE RESULTS. DAMAGE SLIGHT. The reflection of a fire in the shop occupied by Messrs. Cook and Lister, saddlers, Currie Street., was observed about 11.30 p.m. on Friday by two youths named Hatfield and Williams who were passing along Devon Street on their way homo. They gave the alarm to the fire brigade by means of the box at the corner of Devon and Currie Streets and were joined by Constable Small, who had been not far away in Devon Street. The constable found that the door of the shop was not locked, but merely closed, and on entering saw that a .small moveable counter, in which was the money till, was on fire. It was dragged out of the shop and the flames were extinguished by the time the brigade arrived. The interior of the building was not damaged, but some of the stock suffered from the effects of the heat. The building is owned by Messrs. Sole Bros.

The indications are that the fire followed a burglarious entry by some person or persons. The door gives plain evidence of having been forced open by moans of a crow-bar, or similar instrument. it is surmised, from the appearance of the charred remains of the counter that the till was being examined by the light of a match prior to an attempt being made to open it and that the match foil into some paper which was in the lower part of the counter.

A one pound bank note and a few shillings in silver and copper coins were in the till. The nolo would, of course, bo destroyed, but several coins were subsequently found on the footpath, where they'had evidently fallen as the burning woodwork was being dragged out of the shop. Investigations arc being made by the police. '