BAREFACED THEFTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 254, 20 October 1908, Page 2

BAREFACED THEFTS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. (Jhristcluireh, Last N'.giil. [ Tile must bare-faced thefts 01 bicyvliu are being reported in Christelm vch villi a frequency that is becoming alarming, and all lite evidence puiaU to tile necessity of owners of bicycles keeping a sharp eye oil their property. Two instances of the depredations of the birvelvj-.tiiiel' were brought to light yesterday. A gentleman ivho was crossing the Carlton bridge observed a bicycle lying in I,he river below and near if a bundle tied ill ail ordinary sack. lie landed the collection and found that the machine (a lady's) luul been dispoiled of the liandlc-'biu', saddle, driving wheel, crank and pedals. Tire bicycle seemed to be a fairly new one, and apart from thjc removal of these parts and the damage caused by its immersion, no liano had liee.i done. Tile contents of the bag, however, showed that a V,cycle thief of the worst kind had been at wink in this ease. A man's bicycle had been taken, simply knocked to ipieccs, probably with ail axe. f l lie thief apparently wanted only the wheels, and he liad simply carried them out, bundled tile battered remains into the sack, and thrown the bundle into the liver. The police ,ook possession of the recovered property and steps will be taken to find the owners.