RANGIORA OFFICE ENTERED

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28270, 7 May 1957, Page 15

RANGIORA OFFICE ENTERED

Cutting Torch Found By Strongroom

Thieves were evidently disturbed in an attempt to enter the strongroom of the North Canterbury Electric Power Board, at Rangiora, on Sunday night. When a cleaner arrived at 7.30 a.m. yesterday he found the building had been entered.

A railway tarpaulin, which had been used to conceal the glow from a cutting torch, was still draped across the office wall in front of the strongroom door. Lying underneath the tarpaulin was the cutting torch, connected to two gas cylinders standing in a corner of the Office.

It is thought that the intruders had been disturbed, as the paint on the strongroom door wasonly scorched and the floor covering was scorched also, indicating that the torch had been dropped hurriedly. An attempt to gain entrance by forcing a side door had been made, and when this failed entry had been made by removing the glass louvres from the window of a lavatory at the rear of the building. The offices were entered in a similar fashion last year, and were also broken into several years ago.

Christchurch detectives are investigating.

Migrants’ Measles.—The P. and O. liner, Strathnaver, arrived at Melbourne last night with nearly 100 of its load of British immigrants ill with measles. Twelve children of parents who disembarked at Melbourne were taken by ambulance from the ship to hospital.—Melbourne. May 5.