NZ Called to Aid
p. 58 · Read in the full issue
Case Of The
Purloined Pay
NZ Called to Aid of Apia Police
THE search for the missing Api police pay-roll (PIM, April, \ 133) was extended to New Zea land in April and a close-watch wa being kept on all sea and ai arrivals.
Customs’ officials and pol i c searched passengers’ luggage whe the Union Co. vessel Tofua arrive in Auckland after her March-Apr voyage to the Islands.
The pay-roll, over £2,300 i Samoan currency, was stolen froi the Apia police station on March 2 It had been left in the office sa: overnight; the key of the safe h£ been left in a satchel on top of tl safe, and the key to the office c a ledge outside the room.
All Samoa (except members of tl police force) laughed when t] theft was discovered.
New Zealand police came into tl picture at the request of the Hi* Commissioner of Western Same Mr. G. R. Powles. Sub-Inspect W. R. Fell, of the Auckland Cl left for Apia in April to take char of investigations. The Sub-Inspect was once a member of the Samoi police force. A reward of £250 h been offered.
This case recalls a similar afh of about a year ago. On th occasion over £2,000 was stolen fre the Public Works Department Apia but the thieves remain u discovered.
The police pay-roll was in Samo banknotes, which are not negotial outside the Territory.