Several potentially priceless rail heritage items have been stolen following a burglary at the Westport Railway Society premises at the weekend.
The burglary of the old railway goods shed occurred some time after 10 o'clock on Saturday morning and 11 o'clock on Sunday night. Among items stolen were an old-fashioned rail velocipede and a distinctive red push-pull railway hand jigger.
"We'd be very interested in getting a sighting of that," acting senior sergeant Paul Watson, of Greymouth police, said.
Also missing a was shoebox-sized old-fashioned brass coin operated locking is also missing. This historic item is about 60cm long, 60cm tall and 15cm wide. Three old-fashioned large tilly-like lanterns were also stolen, along with an old air compressor.
"We're very interested in any information. These items will certainly stand out, particularly if somebody is offering them for sale. Perhaps the risk is they will be offered for scrap," Mr Watson said.
Anyone with information on the burglary and the stolen items was urged to contact either the Westport or Greymouth police stations or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- by Brendon McMahon
