THIEVES IN CHURCHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 700, 27 June 1929, Page 1

THIEVES IN CHURCHES

Desk Thrown at Pursuer

TWO BUILDINGS ENTERED

rO city churches sueffred from depredations by thieves on Wednesday afternoon or evening. A safe in the vestry of St. Paul s Church, Symonds Street, was opened and a few shillings stolen. The poor-box of All Saints’ Church Ponsonby, was also broken into and a small amount stolen’. The Litany desk of St. Paul s was thrown at the custodian when he chased two intruders.

Leaving a trail of dead matches by which they had lighted themselves through the intricacies of the aisles, two men robbed St. Paul’s Church, Symonds Street, last evening, securing a few shillings from the safe in the vestry. They were surprised in the act and bolted when the custodian put in an unexpected appearance. HEARD BY DOG The incident occurred at about 6.30. The custodian, Mr. C. Worland, who lives on the premises was having tea when his dog set up a ferocious barking. He thought somebody was trying to gain legitimate admission at the hall door and walked through the building- Nobody was there but Mr. Worland heard something moving in the church above. He made his way up the back stairs, to the clergy vestry, and on turning a switch could yet no light. “I found the side door from the vestry to the chancel was open,” said the custorian. “This was unusual and it can only be opened from the inside and not from the church side. 1 went into the chancel in time to see two figures retreating quickly from the chancel to the main part of the church.” THREW LITANY DESK “I ran after them.” he continued, ' and one whom in the gloom I could make out was wearing something grey threw the litany desk across my track, blocking the aisle.” Mr. Worland fell heavily, striking his head on a pew, which raised a painful lump. By the time he had picked himself up the intruders had rushed to the west end of the church and sped out through the bell-tower porch, by the dor of which they had gained entrance. A pedestrian saw the two hurtling out into the street and noted enough of their appearance to be able to give the police some clue. Mr. Wc-land at once ran round to the police station and detectives took the case in hand. Examination revealed that the thieves got into the clergy vestry through the main door, and to effect admission they must have supplied their own key. The chancel door key, which was always left in the lock on the inside, had bene pocketed by the intruders, as evidently was the vestry elec trio light globe. The safe keys, which had been left in the vestry, had been found, and the safe easily opened and cleared of small amounts in envelopes. Ninepence in another envelope on the vestry table was purloined also. None of the robes had been disturbed, and in any case there is nothing of value that could be taken. In connection with most city churches, St. Paul’s has been robbed from time to time, and more than once the police have been successful in apprehending the thieves. A bunch of keys was stolen some years ago, and it is thought one of the cluster may have been used last evening. The custodian has one very useful riog and has a mind to secure a second for duty in another part of the building. Several times recently thieves have broken into All Saints’ Church, Ponsonby, and robbed the poor boxes.

This happened again yesterday afternoon or last evening. A cupboard was smashed open and the boxes rifled. The Rev. W. W. Averill, vicar of All Saints’, says that the thefts are becoming too common, and several small sums of money have been taken. As the church is always open the raiders have no difficulty in gaining an entrance.