PEARLS ON RACECOURSE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 July 1928, Page 4

PEARLS ON RACECOURSE

Finder before court.

' . FACES THEl'ir CHARGE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 26. A lady resin.ng at Renmera lost a string or 165 peay,s in the form of a necklace, with, a. diamond clasp at El.eiwlio .racec-onrsp on June 4. A man who found the necklace, Michael Maher, appeared at the Police Court' tills morning charged with having stolen pearls valued at £990. . it. J. Dorrcus, jeweler, gave evidence that early in June Maher showed him the pearls. Accused asked if they were valuable and witness replied they were worth: hot ween £2OO and £3OO. He mow arm.tied they were worth £990. Accused ah-ked if they were worth a; reward, and witness suggested £lO. Detective Hunt stated that on June 25 he interviewed Maher, who admitted finding the pearls at, the racecourse gates and putting them in bis pocket. Hi v said he forgot about the pearls until two clays afterwards, when be saw am advertisement. He telephoned to the owner’s hcu.se and was told that unfiess the pearls had a diamond claisp iit would Ik\ no use bringing them to ter house. Accused added, said the detective, that he was waiting for a. few days in anticipation of the reward being increased. Maher occupied a prominent position in the city in business and bad a good character and reputation. Mi” McKean, S.M., said in reply to accused’s, counsel that it was for a jury and mot himself to say whether there was a. case to answer. Accused was committed to the Supremo, Court for trial. Maher, wlpo appeared voluntarily, was allowed bail in one surety of £2O.