DESECRATION IN LOCAL CHURCHES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3163, 8 March 1911, Page 5

DESECRATION IN LOCAL CHURCHES.

JUVENILES SAID TO BE THE CULPRITS. SUGAR TEA AND WINE SPILT EVERYWHERE. A decidedly uncommon and undesirable form of juvenile mischief is said to have made its appearance in Gisborne during the last day or two, and the result has been that the property of the local churches has suffered considerable damage. On Monday afternoon the BaptistTabernacle was entered and the pro perty of the church handled in a somewhat shameful manner. The glasses used in the comunion service were broken by means of a hammer and wine was spilt about the church and anterooms. The organ was besmeared with sugar, tea and wine, and its keys bore evidence of having come* into contact with flames. It is presumed that a fire was started with .some sheets of music, the remains of which were found near the organ, and the culprits becoming alarmed* at'the flames, threw wine o r water on it, rendering at imperative that the instrument be overhauled. The ante-rooms also bore traces of the visitors’ depredations. A quantity of tea and sugar, kept for picnics end socials, was scattered about the rooms and the platform, and Bibles, library books, etc., were torn and strewn everywhere. The whole of the church was a scent of disorder and it would appear that the culprits had no other motive than mischief. . , Yesterday morning a similar offence was reported to the police. The schoolroom. at Holy Trinity Church was entered, and further havoc wrought there. Three money-boxes were stolen, and the cross above the altar broken down. The matter was put into the bands of Detective Connelly, who, it is alleged, traced the offence to two boys under the age of eight years. The money taken from Holy Trinity schoolroom had, it is stated, been mostly spentin confectionery, and toys. The police- are making further inquiries into the matter.