GOODS RECOVERED BY POLICE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 187, 4 May 1940, Page 13

GOODS RECOVERED BY POLICE

Strange Collection In Christchurch MAYOR AND TOWN CLERK AMONG OWNERS Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. A large collection of articles that have been missed in Christchurch during the last few months and recovered by the police include valuable possessions of the mayor, Mr. R. M. Macfarlane, Mr. J. S. Neville, formerly town clerk of Christchurch, and other well-known citizens, as well as a number of tobacconists whose premises were entered. Detectives E. Ward and N. Thompson, and Acting-Detective D. S. Paterson have been conducting inquiries which have resulted in the recovery of a heterogeneous collection of possessions, nearly all of which have been claimed by their owners. The articles range from Mr. Neville’s medal of the 0.8. E. and a ring valued at £lOO, to jams and pickles and aspirin tablets. Eight homes are believed to have been entered, and five tobacconists’ shops. Some of the mayor's possessions which have been recovered include a christening mug and gold bangle given to his infant daughter, arid tlie burnt remains of a presentation suitcase. Articles claimed by Mr. Neville include a box of cigars, a presentation camera and his 0.8. E. medal, which has been broken.

All these things were found in a cellar underneath a washhouse floor, and the detectives had to move a heavy mangle and some linoleum to get at the floorboards before reaching the pile of suitcases containing the haul. There remain now four attache cases, three large suitcases, and two smaUer dressing cases, all filled. Some cases which had names on them were burnt. In almost every instance a suitcase was stolen to remove the goods which make up the collection. Goods stolen from tobacconists have also been recovered, worth about £26, but the amount taken altogether from tobacconists is stated to be worth about £BO.