CHAMPAGNE SUPPER PARTY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1947, 2 January 1914, Page 4

CHAMPAGNE SUPPER PARTY

THE HOST ARRESTED. (Br Tdesra&b- Pfees ABnoctetloir; Auckland, «Taiui;ary 1 ■The arrest of tho host at, a thornnagno supper party occurred in Avit-k----land last .night, when Detectives <i<? Norville and Powell, at a public dining resort, took into custody a. J'oung man named Alfred Robert Curtis, aged 22, attired in evening dress, on a chares that on Christmas Day he broke and entered the shop of Herbert Rowland, mercer, in Karangahnpe Road and k(o1o a portmanteau and a large amount of goods. Subsequent search of accused's rooms revealed tho stolen portmanteau which was crammed with such goods as sillc and expensive neglige shirts, decorative. waistcoats, new socks of the most costly ornamental design, and ties. Following up tho clue tho detectives discovered that suspicion pointed to Curtis, and that Curtis lj.ad nvado arrangements: with a caterer.to hold a festive rsow lours Iwe programme, including a tiicatre party. concluding with a simper party in which most expensive lioners and champagne were to bo predominant on tlm.memi. Supper was to >o at a faslnonablo dining resort and 110 detectives,_ after having satisfied themselves by inquiring that they were on tho track of Use right man, interviewed tho caterer and arrangements wcro MtfuQ for tho supper lo go on ap* iparontly as per instructions.' In actual' fact, however, it, was to bo a mock champagne supper aiid » curtained recess in the dining rooms concealed Detectives do Norville and Powell. Shortlv aftor okveu o'clock n. t-hoatr© party of six, including two ladies, turned up m festive attire, as members of tiro gav party,_ prepared to sit down. A message teofc their beaming host to tlio curtained weess, whero the detectives awaited him. A fow moments' discussion induced, him to mako a quiet exit With tho detectives and. tire caterer then explained to tho disappointed theatre party that their host had gone for tlio night and that tho supper was off. ■Curtis came before tlio Police Courts tins morning and was remanded for a Week oil a charge of breaking and entering. (