HAVOC IN STORE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19773, 22 February 1927, Page 7

HAVOC IN STORE

A DRUNKEN CAROUSAL CLEANING UP AFTER MYSTERIOUS FIRES. [ Per Press Association. ] DUNEDIN, Feb. 2L A small army of men was occupied this morning clearing up after the havoc wrought by prowlers yesterday at Messrs Murray, Roberts’ stores. Fires were lighted in no fewer than seven places, and to the damage done by fire has to be added that done by water m extinguishing the blazes and the wanton destruction wrought by a knife or chisel on sacks of seed and wool and cases of liquor, tea and tobacco. The actual amount of the loss caused is not yet estimated, but will be covered to a large extent by insurance. In what bears the appearance of a wild, drunken carousal the intruders, who gained entrance by bursting open a trap door, even tore the telephone completely off the. wall. It is already evident that a considerable amount of liquor has been removed, though a complete tally has not been ken. Several attempts, the laSt about two years ago, have previously been made on this store, but none has been so determined as this one. So far the police have no announcement to make as to the discovery of the burglars.