RAID ON CHURCHES

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1929, Page 3

RAID ON CHURCHES

AUCKLAND THIEVES CHASED.

AUGKL ANI),; r Jun e 27.

Two icity churches were visited by thieves - on Wednesday evening. Tinsafe in the vestry of St. Paul’s, Wellesley street, was opened, while the poor boxes .at All Saint’s, Ponsonhy, Were forced open and a small sum was taken/ At St. Paul’s the intruders were interrupted by the caretaker, hut managed to escape after. a short chase. The theft occurred -early in the evening, the caretaker being set on his guard when’ his dog commenced tqi bark loudly. He found that the side door;,was open arid lie heard the men moving in the yesitry. As lie entered he saw two men moving from the vestry into the ;• body of the church. He went to pursue them, but one of them overturned a desk in his path and he -fell heavily. The men then made- their escape, leaving the church by tlie. porclr’in-rthe- hell tower. A,n investigation -oH-tlie safe showed that it had been opened with the keys, which hang in the vestry. The intruders obtained a number of envelopes containing small sums, these being the only articles of value which were disturbed. * At All Saints’ Church, which is always kept open, the thieves broke into a cupboard and then rifled n number of the poor boxes. This is not ’the first’ time recently that thieves have visited this church and on each Occasion small stuns have been scour--ed..