THE HALCOMBE BURGLARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19057, 9 July 1924, Page 2

THE HALCOMBE BURGLARY

Tn the case against William Alfred Twist and Francis Everard Diggle, police evidence showed that on June 30 the premises of Messrs Francis and Co. were ransacked. Entrance had been gained by a small window at the back of the store and a number of articles, including suit-cases, rugs, etc., had been found missing. There were marks of stocking-covered feet oh the floor, and telegraphic inquiries were at once instituted, with the result that the accused were arrested at Dannevirke with the stolen property in their possession.

Mr. Francis gave evidence of having locked the premises up on Saturday night, and having gone to Woodville with Sergeant Cahill, where he identified his property and the accused admitted the offence quite frankly. Twist said that he belonged to Taihape and about six weeks ago met Diggle in Auckland. Shortly after this nicetiiig they left the Queen City and arrived at Halcombe on Saturday evening, June 28. They secreted themselves in the bush until 11 p.m. and then broke into the store, using a jemmy to open the window. Equipping themselves wtih shirts, suit cases, rugs, boots, etc, they left the store for Feilding, but only got as far as Makino, whetc they put in the night in a hay stack. In the morning they decided that they would take to the bush again and remained hidden there until five o’clock on Sunday when they started out for Woodville, arriving at the latter town at 11 a.m. on Monday. On Tuesday they set out for Dannevirke, which was reached at 9 a.m. and at 2.15 p.m. they were arrested. Diggle corroborated this statement. Both pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.