MISCHIEF OR THEFT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16638, 12 January 1920, Page 2

MISCHIEF OR THEFT.

POSTAL BOX FORCED. OCCURRENCE AT MOTUROA. A postal box at the corner of Breakwater Road and PioneeV Road was broken open on Sunday night, and the contents were disturbed, though it is not known whether any letters or packets were stolen. A strong wind was blowing at the time. Twenty-six letters were afterwards found by the postal officials in the vicinity of the box. The night-watchman at the Moturoa. freezing works was in the habit of visiting tlie box each hour as, tho result of previous efforts to tamper with it. At 9 o’clock on Sunday night tho box was untouched, but when the watchman made his next round he found that the lock had been forced, evidently with an iron lever.

The damaged bos was removed by the postal authorities, and it is not intended that it shall be replaced in the meantime, pending some discovery and action in regard the offence. This occurrence emphasises the need which exists for a resident police constable to be stationed at Moturoa. Larrikinism, if nothing worse, appears to be attaining a dangerous growth in that outlying section of the town.