AMAZING ROBBERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 148, 26 June 1934, Page 5

AMAZING ROBBERY

THIEVES IN CATHEDRAL JEWELS TAKEN FROM DOORS. CRUCIFIX USED AS LEVER. MELBOURNE, June 14. An amazing robbery occurred at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral on Monday night. The thieves used a big golden crucifix to lever amethysts, rubies, emeralds and other less expensive jewels from the double doors on tho tabernacles on tho three mam altars. In addition they stole some gold plate and three valuable crucifixes. Brought out from England in 1897, the artistic tabernacle doors were greatly treasured by the church, and the damage to them is estimated at £l9OO, although the loot taken by the thieves may not bring them a quarter of that amount. The church is gratified, however. that there was no desecration of the Holy Sacrament. Tho robbery occurred when the cathedral was securely locked and it was not until the church was opened early on Tuesday morning that the damage was discovered. rhe thieves climbed a slender drain-pipe from the footpath on one side of the cathedral, and so reached a small leadlight window. They smashed this and dropped Bft. to the tiled floor. In the centre is the High Altar, and on the left and right two other altars. Seizing two sanctuary lamps from their gold stands, the thieve.-, lighted their way to the tabernacle doors. They spilt a considerable quantity of oil over the altars while they were working. The jewel doors were really false doors, leading tn steel walled tabernacles. Apparently the thieves had no tools with which to to their work, so they u-ed a beautiful golden crucifix to lever the jewelled facing from the doors, which were wrecked and pulled from their hinges. Piece by piece tha handsome facings were wrenched off. The police have failed iti their endeavour to trace the tihieves. The most striking feature of the crime is the receipt by the archbi-hop of letters expressing the indignation of men who are professional lawbreakers. They deplore the robbery and the sacrilege. Apparently professional pride is also involved, for the communications that have, been received by the church authorities point out that, apart from the paltry nature of the “job,” the vandalism attached to the art stamps it as “the work of amateurs.” Early this year thieves broke into St. Mary's Basilica, Sydney and stole portion of the tabernni !e. Police surrounded tho building and t'\o men were caught. 'J’hey have since been sent to gaol for long term;