PETTY THEFTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4527, 14 February 1923, Page 4

PETTY THEFTS.

PILFERING AT HIKUTAIA. So many cases of petty thieving have occurred of late that in orde r to conserve their property those attending socials or other functions should not leave anything portable in their cars, carts, or buggies. On Sports’ Day the nimble-fingered gentry who have been successfully operating got away with two overcoats'. On the evening of the same day a well-known resident found in his car a worn-out oiler which had been substituted for one that was quite new. On the evening of the 2nd inst. another resident found his buggy despoiled of its contents, among which was a very fine Kaiapoi rug. Orchards are generally considered a fair mark for the average boy, but owners draw the line at complete spoliation of their fruit crop, and the deliberately wanton destruction of the trees. Even the succulent, onion does not escape the ravages of the prowlers, one resident waking the other morning to find the emaciated remains of the 2000' plants he had purchased and on which he had spent some considerable time. Another resident had his potato crop “rabbited,’’ only one tuber being found in place of the dozen or more that he naturally expected. There is strong suspicion as. to the identity of the sneak thieves', and with, just a little more proof to hand they will find themselves in “chokey,” where their digestive organs will receive that rest to wliica long continued repletion entitles them.