BURGLARIES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5370, 4 January 1929, Page 2

BURGLARIES.

CLOTHING STORE ENTERED. LOSS ESTIMATED AT £5O. Between 11 o’clock on Monday night and 7.30 on Wednesday night Mr David McWatters’ clothing shop, in Belmont Road, was burglariously entered. Entrance was made by breaking a small hole; in a back window facing Corbett Stieet, near, the catch. Thrpugh this hole an upright piece of wood was removed, allowing the catch to be unfastened and the window opened.

The thieves were evidently familiar with this class of stock, and took pains in selecting their goods, as only the best of certain linep was taken. These articles include two Kaiapoj rugs valued at between £3 and £4, two suits of clothqs valued at £7, a dozen shirts, quantity of. silk socks, singlets, braces, belts, s.tuds, and. various, oth'ey articles tp the value of approximately £5O.

Mr McWatters closed the shop at 10.45 p.m.. on New Year’s Eve and l e ft at 11 o’clock. Before leaving all the windows and doors properly se-, c,ured and locked. He did not visit the shop on Tuesday, but one of his staff attended for the purpose of putting up the verandah blinds. So far as, the attendant observed, everything was in order. On Wednesday evening al about 7 o’clock another of the emlooaed through the front windo,w of the shop and observed that a door, leading from the back room into the shop was open. As this door was closed prior to leaving on New Year’s Eve, he went to the back of the; shop to investigate and discovered the broken pane of glass, but the window was closed. He tried th,e do,or and found it unlocked. He with Mr McWatters, who informed the police. The police and a detective are investigating the matter, and it is prob-, able that something will be; heard later. The police had collected a certain amount of information ,with reference to a man who tried to dispose of two rugs, and also of another man who was selling razors and >s to, be implicated with the inan selling rugs. Finger, prints have been obtained, and thes,e have been recorded by the police. TOBACCONIST’S BROKEN INTO. Ye;t another burglary was enacted last night, when the premises of Mr H. E. Raffill, hairdresser and tobacconist, were broken into. In. this case the intruder broke; the heavy plateglass in the door near the lock, and' entrance was then made easy. Mr Raffill cannot give any idea of what stock has been taken, but is certain of quite a number of pipe? and cigarette's,’ and shaving gear. The police have this matter also in hand. PRIVATE HOUSE ENTERED. The third burglary to be reported is that ,which was. perpetrated on Mr. S. J. Hedge’s residence on New Year’s Eve.

It appears that the burglary was committed between 9.15 and 11 p.m. Mi’s Hedge left her home at 9.15 to> do some ’ shopping, and returned about 11 o’clock with Mr Hejl&e. On entering the house their attention was attracted to something out of place, and on investigation they dis,c.overed that a number of articles, including shoes and othe;r articles belonging, to Mrs Hedge were missing. 'Entrance had been gained: through the kitchen window, and boot marks were visible on the kite,hen bejneh. As Mr and Mrs Hedge were leaving early next morning, they did not pay a great deal of attention to thq matter, but on returning yesterday they discovered that about £l2 worth of articles, mostly wearing apparel and effeminate articles were; mis's,ing. It is Mr Hedge’s opinion that tiie thief was after wearing apparel more than valuables, as some valuables were untouched.

POLICE COURT.

IDLE AND DESTITUTE.

ACCUSED SENTENCED TO 14 DAYS.

Patrick Fitzgerald, alias O'Neill, was arrested in Normanby Road; Paeroa, yesterday and brought before the Police Court this monnniy. He was charged, bejfore Messrs F. E. Flatt and P. E.. Brenan, J’s.P., with drunkenness, and also with being an idle and destitute person.

’ Constable Dawson gave evidence of. arresting the man and also of telling him to, get out of the town. He ihad be;eh soliciting alms and was generally a nuisance.

Accused said that he Ihad not been in town all the time, and asked for a chance.

The Bench decided., to convict accused on the first charge and sentence him to 14 days’ imprisonment on the seco.nd charge in or.der to give him a clean up for the new year.