DARING BURGLARY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3080, 12 April 1892, Page 2

DARING BURGLARY.

Onb of the most daring burglaries that hiivo taken place in Hamilton was perpetrated sometimo early yesterday morning, the new premises of Mr E, T. B ivey being entered and his safe, weighing about 2Acwr, taken away. No definite imticulaiv, of course, can be outlined as tho enterprising burglar.-; were nut s-:en by anyone. Mr Davoy left his shop on Saturday shortly after ten o'clock, locking up as usual, and did not return til! yusterJay morning, about half-past seven, when on putting tlio key in the lock he was surprised to find th« cloor open, the oitch having been briknn off. By the marks on (lie floor ho at once saw something had been dragged out and on looking round discovered that the safe was gone. He at once hastened to the police station, bub both Cons-tables Murray and Forbes were away on duty to WhuUwliata, having left Hamilton shortly after four o'clock. Returning to the shop Mr Bavey tli".n sent for Constible St-iunton, and on his arrival tliuy at once investigated the premises and came t> tho conclusion that the safe had been removed in a wheel barrow, the track of which was plainly traceable up to and away from the door. Thesn tracks were followed down into the piddock behind the Council Chambers, and there on the river bank the cafe was found in a very much battered condition. The books and papers were strewn about in all directions, but nothing appeared to have been taken away except money in the form of notes, silver and cheques. The neighbours living near the shop heard noises between two and three a.m. on Monday morning. Mr L. Sntton, livery stable proprietor, who lives opposite, was expecting a hurss home, and hearing a noise, got up and went into the street, but not seeing anybody about concluded it was no one looking for hi.ri, and went back to bed again. Hβ says, however, that at that time, it being quite moonlight, a man was standing at the Bank of New Zealand corner, but did not attach any impoittnce to this. This was about a quarter past two. At about three o'clock Br. and Mrs Mnrcli, who happened to be up, heard a barrow being wheeled past their place, and wondered; at anyone being out at such an early hour. Just after three o'obek Mr J. Wright, who lives on the east bank of the rwer, heard a noise as if some one was hammering in the direction of the Council Chambers. These different accounts all tit; in so well that it would appear that this was about the time the burglary occurred. It is a wonder that no one happened to look out upon hearing the different noisus, as considerable force must have been used in moving and opening the safe.

Whoever it was that perpetrated the "job" was evidently no novice, as ho had started on the weakest part in the safe to effect an opening, and this was done in a very effectual in inner, the bo tun of Ilia safe being nearly prized off, and the iusidj drawers wrenched out. When found the sate was covered with the barrow in which it hai been taken away and a sack was thrown over the lot. The barrow was one belong_ing to Mr P. Munro, and had been taken from his promises adjoining Mr Elliott's. An entrance lo the stovj had bsen effected at the frontdoor, the catch of the lock being forced off evidently by a sudden blow.

Mr Diivey has been able to ascertain his losi pretty accurately which in addition to thu value, of the safe, about £10, amounts to £24 4s od. made up of £0 in nutss, £3 14s in silver, and ,611 10s !)i in cheques. A number of other cheques and valuable papers were left intact and nil the books were left uninjured. Hid the books been destroyed it would have moan'-a consider,ible loss to Mr Davey as he would h:\ve been unable to ascertain the amounts owimr to him.

C .nstables Murray and F.irbes returned about eleven o'clock and at once took the matter in hand. They ara very reticent, but it is understood that they have obtained a clue which will enable them to sheet the ciirae home. Constable Stamiton went down as f.-ir as Huii'ly to see if any suspicious persons got on the trtin down the line. Of course the result of his investigation is kept quiet, but it has so far leaked out that a certain passeng3f by the train will be duly shadowed on his arrival in Auckland. We .sympathise with Mr i)*vey on his loss, thia being the second time on which he has suffered in a like manner.