EPIDEMIC OF THEFTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 157, 28 March 1919, Page 5

EPIDEMIC OF THEFTS

NORTH ISLAND SCHOOLS. ; There appears to be a widespread epidemic of robberies of State schools in the North Island at present, says an exchange. It is most pronounced in the Manawatu district, where five schools liavo been entered in tho last few weeks. The sum of X 5 was recently taken from the headmaster's desk at the Marton School, and two schools at Palinerston North were broken into ut about the same time. Last week tho Feilding High School was visited, the headmaster's office ransacked, and a stopwatch, a cheque for X 7, and other articles were stqlen. The same thieves subsequently visited the Feilding Technical School, and removed about Xls, which had been locked up in a cup"board nsed by the instructor of cookery.

The Napier Technical College was broken into some time last Eriday night, and the sum of ,£2 Ms. in cash was stolen from the director's office, The burglar entered through a window in the yard at the rear of the school, a cold chisel being used to force the lock. He also forced open several doors inside tho building by the same methed. A. fruitless attempt was made on the safe in the 'director's office, several keys being tried in the lock. The intruder was plainly a. novice, live matches being spilled insidc< the building, while a ladder, apparently brought for the occasion was left outside.

Wellington City has not been immune from the operations (i' (ho, petty thief. During tlio long mention the Girls' College was entered mid n sum of money (n snorts fund) was stolen. The Clyde Quay School was also entered, and the headmaster's desk was rummaged for anything of value, hut with little success. A little Inter considerable damage was done to the Observatory at the Wellington College, the roof being wilfully damaged to a considerable extent.