ROBBERY AT BRUNNERTON

West Coast Times, Issue 13732, 31 January 1906, Page 4

ROBBERY AT BRUNNERTON

Rev Joyce's House Broken Into.

Brunner residents were thrown into a state of etoitement yesterday, says last night's Grey "Star," when it was learned that tbe house owned and occupied by Mr Thomas Joyce had been entered between the hours of 4.45 and 8.30 p.m. on Snnday evening, and that money and jeweVery to the value of £40 had been stolen thorefrom. The building is situated in the main street at Taylorviile with occupied houses on both sides of it, and traffic continually passing to aod fro in front of ic. The thief had apparently gained access through the door by the nee of skeleton keys Mr Thomas Joyce, who has lately arrived and undertaken ministerial duties in tbe Presbjterian Church, left his home on Sunday afternoon at 4.45 o'clock to visit some friends He locked all the drawers in his book case and also the doc rs of his house, and put the hoop over his front gate. After having conducted service in tbe church he returned home about halfpast eight and fouud his front gate open. He then inserted bis key in the door to unlock it, but found it unlocked. On going inside he found the lids of several boxes open. The drawers of his writing desk hid been unlocked, and £27 7s o£d in cash and jewellery was misting, being made up as follows : £15 in half-sover-eigns, £12 in sovereigns, some silver, two farthings, an 18-carat gold albert valued at £4 10*, a gold signet ring, a set of gold studp, a pair of 18-carat gold sleeve links, a fountain pen, and half-a-dozen silver tea spoons and tongs. The thief had apparently not had sufficient time to rrake a thorough search, as there was about £20 worth of jewellery and plate lying promiscuously at the bottom of a trunk covered with some string, which bad not been disturbed. It is to be hoped the culprits will be caught and brought to justice. For years Brunnar has been free from acts of this description.