MISS N.Z.'S HOME BURGLED

Chronicle (Levin), 10 November 1947, Page 7

MISS N.Z.'S HOME BURGLED

TKIEVES MAKE CLEAN SWEEP OF BRESkES AND JEWELS CHRISTCHURCH, jNTov. 9. The home of Miss Mary W oot.ton, vvinner of tlie "Miss New Zealand" coutest, at 51 North Avon Road, Richmond, was brokeu into 011 Saturday eveniug and a large quantity of elothing and jewellery was stolen. "Witli lier parents, Miss Wootteu left hei" home about 8 p.m. to attend a reception at tke New Zealand Industries Fair Wlien thev returned home at about 10.-10 p.m. the front door was wide open. Only a few hours previouslv Miss Wootton had returned by plane from Wellington, lt was thought that the theft took place at about 8.110 p.m. oi) Saurdav, said Mr. Wootton, Miss Wootton's father, to-day. A friend passiug his home at this time noticed lights on in the house and thought the family had forgoiten lo tuni them off wlien thev weiti out. lt was a liasly anti-elimax for his ilaughter and had upset her, said Mr. Wootton. Many of Miss Wootton's dresses, shoes, elothing and jewellery whieli she lnul taken away with her for ' the coutest in Wellington and whieli had not been unpacked from the suitease were amoiig the articles stolen. Jewellery stolen included family articles valued at between £150 and £2U0 whieli eould never be replaeed, said Mr. Wootton. While in Wellington, Miss Wootton was presented witli the honorary mem bers ' badge of the Royal Society of iSt. Geurge and this was among the urticles stolen. About £8 in inoney was also taken from her room as well as two fountain pens. A jrold watch, gloves, handuags and a purse were taken from M rs. Wootton's room as well as two fountain pens belouging to Mr. Wootton uitd some of his elothing. lt was estimated that about £12 in inoney was inissing from the house. lt was onlv rarely that the house was left uuoeeupied in the evenings, said Mr. Wootton, and the thieves miust have unlicipated tliey would be out on the ilrst eveniug after tlieir daughter's re tuni from Wellington. Entrance was gained througli uu ojten leadliglit window in Mrs. Wootton's bedrooin. Triumphal Return of Miss New Zealand j Miss Mary Wootton, winner of the i Miss Xew Zealand coutest, made u i Iriumplinl return to Christchurch yester- | day. fctlie arrived by plane and was . greeted at the airport by a big crowd ! of frieiuls and supporters and two of . the otlier contestants in the competij tion. In the eveniug she appeared bet'ore a crowd of 5000 at the New Zeui land Induslries Fair and was giveu a j great ovation. ; In au interview, Miss Wootton denied that she intemled to become engaged , before her trip to Britaiu. Duritig the i oilicial function 111 "Wellington iasl l week, the Leader of the Opposition j (.Mr. Hollaud) remarked that Miss j Wootton was not at present a membei i of his eleetorate, but if something he j had hoata! recently eventuated she | would become oue in tlie uear future. At the time the remarks were made, she : was so excited that she did not hear ! them, said Miss Wootton, and it was i not until the uext day that thev were | b rough t to her notice. She did not : know wliat Mr. Ilolland had in ruind » wlien he made those remarks.