ROBBERY FROM A CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9663, 30 November 1909, Page 6

ROBBERY FROM A CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Novemer 29. A most unpleasant occurrence was discovered when the Roman Catholic Cathedral was opened yesterday morning. On the walls of the building are hung a number of small wooden boxes, receptacles for voluntary contributions for pious or charitable purposes. Seven of these boxes had been taken from their supports, forced open, and the contents abstracted. The boxes had evidently been prised open with a chisel or some such instrument, and after the money had been taken, were thrown on the floor, where they were lying when the theft was discovered. It is impossible to state what sum was secured by the thieves, but the estimate places it at not more than five or six pounds. The theft was committed some time between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The main door of the cathedral was

locked, but a door leading;from the ve«try was open. The intruders confined their attentions to the boxes, without attempting anything on the safe which contained th 3 altar plate. It is said some suspicious looking characters had been seen about the building on Saturday evening, but, of coures, it is impossible to connect them positively with the crime. The occurrence has created great indignation among the cathedral congregation.