ROBBERIES IN WELLINGTON

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1920, Page 4

ROBBERIES IN WELLINGTON

MASKED MAN AND REVOLVER

WELLINGTON, Feb. 10

A masked man holding a revolver in his hand carried out a daring “hold-up” in the city on Saturday afternoon. It appears that at about 2.30 p.m., two ladies — a local resident, Mrs Gam. poiy and a friend—were seated in a public reserve in Ellice street enjoying the sun. Suddenly, the tranquility of their afternoon was rudely disturbed by tho sudden appearance of a masked man who presented a revolver at them and demanded money. Mrs Gapper had just previously laid her purse on the grass alongside of her, and, noticing this the man stooped suddenly, snatched it up and made off rapidly. Mrs Gapper immediately gave the alarm and a huge and cry being raised, a. vigorous search for the highwayman was commenced, but without result. Fortunately, Mrs Gapper’s purse only contained about 20s in money and some small trinketß, so that the “haul” was hardly worth the risk. ' AN IMPUDENT THEFT.

A particularly impudent theft was perpetrated in the Post Office Savings' Bank on Friday afternoon. While a local resident was making out a deposit slip for £25 liis attention was claimed for a moment by the neighbour on liis right, and as he turned lie left liis bank-book containing five £5 notes on the counter on his left.

As lie turned back to pick up liis book he noticed two women moving away, but unfortunately for him, this circumstance did not arouse liis suspicion, and it was not until he opened tho book at the “pay-in” counter that he discovered he was poorer to the extent of £25. BLOUSE SHOP ENTERED. There lias been a mild epidemic of thefts of clothing in the city for some weeks past, various sources being taplied by the thieves iu their endeavour to secure these high-priced articles. The most popular hunting-ground has been the bed-rooms of hotels and private hotels, but late on Friday night, or during the early hours of Saturday morning, about £IOO worth of ladies’ blouses were removed from tho premises of Miss V. A. M. Hitchings, blouse specialist, at No. 76 Courtenay Place.

The police who are enquiring into the matter, believe that ingress was gained as the result of the removal of a small pane of glass at the rear of the promises.