STOLEN GOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1928, Page 4

STOLEN GOODS

BIG LOT RECOVERED. AUCKLAND, Aug. 24. Piles of articles of almost every description arc in the olfice of the AA’harf Police, having been recovered during tho past few days in tho course of a widespread search for property which has been stolen from launches on the Auckland waterfront during the winter months. It is estimated that property valued at between £SOO and tillX) has been stolen from vessels since the pleasure craft on the AVaitemata have occupied their winter quarters. Damage caused to launches and yachts by thieves increases the losses by a very large amount. Entrance lias been effected to pleasure craft from Devonport to Point Chevalier, and the whole waterfront has apparently been combed thoroughly. In many cases vessels have been damaged considerably. Cabin doors and windows havebeen smashed, skylights torn open and interior fittings destroyed. Many owners have visited their craft to find them almost completely ransacked. Fixtures have in numerous instances been carefully removed, the articles taken including curtains, electric light fittings, and other tilings. Numerous vessels which arc idle during the winter contain valuable furnishings and are in many oases almost completely equip-cd ready to be recommissioned on the approach of summer. In such eases the thieves have been rewarded with no mean '‘haul,” and several owners have estimated their losses at £6O or £7O. The articles in tho police station comprise a large proportion of the losses from the launches, although there still remains a large quantity untraced. They range from suits of pyjamas to shot-guns and gramophone records, clocks (which have been unscrewed from cabin walls), carpenter’s tools, binoculars, ammunition, crockery, cutlery and linen. There is a large and well-stocked medicine chest, several torches, valuable rugs and large minors.