SENSATIONAL RAID

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1947, Page 5

SENSATIONAL RAID

Press AssociationJ

Police Search Watersiders' Headquarters

( Per

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 8. TFe most seusational police raicl • of its kind ever made in Clirist•cliurch/ was imdertaken by a force of ten .men whicli executed a search of tlie Coronation Ha 11, lieadquarters of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union, yesterday. Referring to the large quantity of artieles removcd by the police from the hall during the search, Superintendent Scott said: "We were searching for stuff pillaged from ships in Lyttelton recently. At the hal'l we took posscssion of a quantity of goods believcd to have been pillaged." When asked if there was any likeli'hood oi' a simi'lar search in other centres, Superint endent Scott said it was only a local investigation. Tlie police had had sufficicnt evidenee to justify them taking out the warraut and the proeeedings had been amply justiticd by the results. The rttid was the sole topic of conversation 011 the waterfront today when the men resumed work as usual. Watersiders discussed the situation in groups hui there was 110 indication of a mass meeting. The steps cofitemplated by the police were not"' revoa.l.ed this morning although ihe evidence obtained is tilleged to have important implications. It is estimated that goods from at least 80 lockers were taken from the premises. Some watersiders have already been ([uestioned by the police. No arrests have iieen made The work of eolleeting the information gained occupied the attenlion of several men Ih.roughout last night and today. Tlie search, which was the 'climax of intensive investigations of alleged pillaging on a large scale of overseas ships at present at Lyttelton, eame as a complete surprise to union officials. The first the president of the union, Air. AV. B. La'ing, knew about it was when a detective called at his home 011 the way to Lyttelton and invitcd him to aecompany them. The search started at 4 p.m. and continued till nearly 9 p.m. The police opened mora than 800 water-siders' loekers. A11 amazing varioty oi" goods is reported to liave lieen revealed. ineluding hundi'ods of j)ounds worth of to hacco, car parts, tinned fruits, dried fruits and packages of rice. There were even papers reseml)ling lietting materia], The police took away a full ear load of goods. Some lockers were not secured but' others had to be forced open with jemmies and serewdrivers.