BURGLARS ACTIVE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 March 1935, Page 4

BURGLARS ACTIVE

EXPLOSIVES USED. COUNTY OFFICE SUFFERS. An attempt was made during last night to blow open the strongroom at the office of the Masterton County Council in Chapel Street. Explosives were used, and considerably damaged the door, but, owing to the action of the explosives, part of the mechanism of the locks dropped, causing a. jam and making it impossible to open the door. Even this morning there was a strong smell of explpsive. Nothing in the office was disturbed, the burglars evidently leaving the premises on being unsuccessful with their attempt on the strongroom door. Mrs C. Coker, of 32 Chapel Street, who resides next door to the Council office s, stated that at about 11.45 she heard one explosion, and it seemed quite loud. As, however, she thought it might have been caused by a motor car on the street, or from a garage near by. and also that she does not enjoy -good health, Mrs Coker did not get out of bed to investigate. Mrs Coker also heard a car moving along the street at about the same time, but as there is usually quite a lot of traffic along Chapel Street till a late hour, she did not attach any connection between the explosion and the car.