BOOK THIEVES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 May 1919, Page 3

BOOK THIEVES.

It has just come to light that no less than seventeen books have been stolen from the reference library of the Leys Institute, at Ponsonby, during the past year. Thefts such as this are particularly shameful because they deprive thousands of reputable readers of the opportunity of consulting more or less valuable works which many of them cannot afford to buy. At some of the great English libraries readers are admitted by ticket only, and before an applicant for a ticket receives one he, or she, must find two ■respectable householders to vouch for hi« or her bonafides. This plan is found to work well, and might with advantage be introduced in, Auckland, where, I regret to say, the sneak thief is a good deal in evidence. Years ago thefts from the British Museum (London) library—the finest institution of its kind in the world —caused the trustees a great deal of concern. At last they got a detective from Scotland Yard. This detective hid himself in a small gallery in the vast dome of the Library, and from this ooign of advantage, armed with a powerful pair of binoculars, he kept watch and ward on the readers beneath. His vigilance was rewarded by seeing a man slip a volume into his pocket. The thief then made his way out, but before he could reach the gates of the Museum the detective nabbed him. I think he got six months. That stopped it.