STOLEN GEMS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 32, 6 August 1921, Page 6

STOLEN GEMS

WHO WILL FOOT THE BILL?

An application was made at the Supreme Court by Mr. H.< F. O'Leary, for an order from the Bench as to the recouping of three pawnbrokers who had advanced sums of money, totalling something in the neighbourhood of £150, to a thief who was dealt with by the Court this morning. He submitted' that the Court might well make an order under Section '551, of the Crimes Aot, to the effect that the pawnbrokers should be repaid for the amounts which they had advanced on the gems. "I oannofc understand why they advanced the money at all on uncut gems," answered Mr. Justice Heed. . Counsel, stated that the gems were cut, though a. nuber of them were not mounted.

Mr. H. H. Cornish, who appeared for the true owner of the gems, objected to the application, and his Honour remarked, "I understand that the section is intended to prevent pawnbrokers concealing the fact that they have made purchases, and to assist in the discovery of thieves. Does a pawnbroker usually take such goods without making inquiries?" ,

"As a matter of fact," said i Mr. '0'Leary, "two did report the matter to the police, but at that time no gems were reported to be missing, and toothing oould be done." . / The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. P. S. K. Macassey, remarked that the dealers usually gave the police every assistance, and one of those concerned in this case had aotually telephoned to the police. Argument will be heard by the Court at a date to be fixed. The question is complicated by the fact that certain of the gerna have been §et by the prisoner and have been lVWed over by him to the Official Assignee, that, his goods may be turned into oash to go towards the making good of his defalcations. There is room for argument as to whom those particular gems now belong. .