VALUABLE PEARLS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1928, Page 2

VALUABLE PEARLS

THEFT CHARGE WITHDRAWN.

Because a lady declined to travel from France to explain the disappearance of a valuable necklace, a Liverpool case ended with dramatic suddenness.

Brought, up on remand Mary Hardiman, a governess, aged 39, was charged with being in possession of a string of pearls valued at £7OOO, the property of Mme. Lang Niller, of Paris. Mr. F. Borrows, prosecuting, explained that since Miss Hardiman was last before the court the police had received a communication from the Paris authorities, who had been in touch with Mme. Lang Niller and her husband. The French police stated that the lady did not wish to be troubled with a journey to Liverpool to give evidence. In the circumstances, the chief constable asked that the charge against Miss Hardiman should be withdrawn.

The Magistrate:. Do I understand that the alleged ownei’ of the pearls will not take the trouble to come over and give evidence. Mr. Borrows: That is so. The Magistrate: But these pearls are worth £7OOO. It is very remarkable. Addressing accused, the magistrate remarked: “The charge against you is withdrawn 1 and you are discharged.” A wardress then handed a brown paper parcel to defendant, who left the dock without uttering a word. Miss Hardiman was first, charged on her own confession with being in unlawful possession of the pearls, which were supposed to have been stolen in Paris last November. A police-inspector described how a London firm of jewellers received a parcel containing four pearls, with the request to sell them on behalf of a “Mrs. Howley,” the letter being written on notepaper with the heading “Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.” As a reference the writer gave the Imperial Bank of India. Inquiries both at the bank and at the hotel disclosed that nobody called “Mrs. Howley” could be discovered.

On July 21, added the inspector, Miss Hardiman called at the hotel and asked whether there were any letters for Mrs. Howley. She was interviewed by a detective, and told him that the pearls had been given hei* by the wife of an Indian mill manager, with whom she had served as governess. Later, however, she called at the police station and stated: “I want to tell the truth. I was in the employ of Mme. Lang Niller, in l aris, fiom October, 1927, to February, 1928. I saw a string of pearls in her bedroom, and I took them about November, 1927. I was questioned bv the police, but I had the pearls hidden, and said I did not know about them. I later heard they were of great value, and that a reward was being offered for them. I was too ‘lightened then to disclose the fact that I had them. I did not dispose ot any of them, except the diamondstudded clasp, which I' sold to a pawnbroker for £40.”

Ihe inspector explained that a few minutes later the woman made a shortl y before Christmas, 1927, she took from a wallet a note valued at 4000 francs.