A PECULIAR BURGLARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1915, Page 5

A PECULIAR BURGLARY.

SHIP'S SURGERY SET AFIRE. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. While the steair.ei Corinthic was lying at King's Wharf, last night, her surgery was broken open. Valuable instruments were stolen, and the room itself was set afire, whether by ordinary means or by chemicals, is not known at present, Smoke, issuing from the surgery, attracted attention and led to the discovery of the crime, which is unique in local criminal annals. Prompt measures were taken and the fire was suppressed, the damage to the room and fittings being slight. The matter was reported to the police, but the latter kept dark about it so that the circle of those acquainted with the that a crime had been committed was kept very small. Two detectives however are known to have been working on the case and though the authorities will say nothing, it is understood that three men have already been apprehended. THE CULPRITS ARRESTED. Wellington, Last Night. Investigation to-night lifts the edgt\of the veil of secrecy thrown over the Corinthic sensation by the police. It appears that petty thieving had been rife on the vessel all the way out from England, and one or two of the crew had been under suspicion. Last night, apparently, a couple of seamen thought they would make a fine haul by cleaning out the surgery and smuggling the instruments (which were valued at about £100) ashore and disposing of them. The first part of the programme was carried out, and the men got into the surgery through the porthole. Practically everything of value was removed and secreted in boats and other places about the ship, but all was recovered to-day—all, that is to say, except a bottle of brandy. Having brought off their little coup, the sailor burglars decided to celebrate it with the bottle of brandy discovered among the medical comforts. They did so, and while drinking and smoking, apparently, matches ! were dropped igniting the cotton wool 1 and other -inflammable stuff which- • smouldered after the men's departure, ' anil finally blazed up, scorching and ; charring the fittings. The smoke was i observed by a watchman at three o'clock • in the morning, and the suppression of 1 the fire and discovery of the crime foli lowed. Police aid was invoked, and . when the two men stepped ashore about > seven this morning they walked into the , arms of waiting detectives. A rumor ■ earlier to-night that three arrests had . been made proved incorrect. i 11 ■"»