CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL BURGLED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2672, 30 November 1909, Page 4

CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL BURGLED.

CONTRIBUTION BOXES RIFLED.

fPim Phess Association.! CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 29. A most unpleasant occurrence was discovered when the Roman Catholic Cathedral was opened yesterday morning. On the walls of the ba:lcing 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 were evidently prised open with a cliisel 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 bv the thieves, but an estimate places . it at not more than £5 or £6. The M theft was committed some time be- ' tween early ou Saturday evening and Sundav morning. The main door of the Cathedral was locked, but the door leading from the vestry was open. Ihe intruders confined their attentions to the boxes without attempting anything on the safe wliich contained the altar plate. It is said that some suspiciouslooking characters had been seen about the building on Saturday evening, but cf course it is impossible to connect them positively with the. crime. The occurrence created great indignation among the Cathedral congregation on account of its sacrilegious nature. Remarkable and disturbing scenes of crime have taken place in Christchurch during the past three or four weeks. It appears that a large number of churches have been burglariously entered, and their contribution boxes and recess cupboards forced open and searched. and any cash which might be found in them appropriated. In most churches and. in all denominations it is the custom to have affixed to the wall small wooden boxes, which are there to receive gifts of charitable or pious people, the funds so raised being devoted to church purposes. The thieves appear to have devoted particular attention to these boxes, which they smashed, open and rifled. In no case investigated to-day did it appear that there had been any serious loss or that; church plate had been appropriated,! The majority of the offences occurred in carnival week, but it appeared that, the thieves are still carrying on their work, as the Roman Catholic Cathedral burglary occurred on Saturday night \ last. Among the churches entered were St. Michael’s, St. John’s, Phillipstown, Papanui, Riccarton, Ilalswell, Sydenham, Opawa, New Brighton Anglican Churches, St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, High Street Methodist Church. New Brighton Methodist Church, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral.