An honesty box has been stolen from St Patrick's Catholic Church in Ross on the West Coast.
The historic church, built in 1866, is opened daily to the public by the Ross Goldfields Information Centre.
An information centre staff member confirmed today that the honesty box was gone but was unable to say when it was noticed missing.
A Hokitika police spokewoman said the theft had just been reported. St Patrick's parishoner Biddy Manera said the heritage goldfields church was popular and widely photographed by visitors to Ross.
The honesty box was a good fundraiser, given the small pool of parishoners left to maintain the building, she said.
