FAMOUS PEARLS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 6

FAMOUS PEARLS

SOLD IN SYDNEY FOR £2500

SEQUEL TO DIVORCE SUIT.

SYDNEY, May 29.

The famous Vivei's pearl necklace, winch has been the subject of protracted litigation, has (been at auction in Sydney for £2500. The name of the actual purchaser was not disclosed, but it is understood that the pearls wer D purchased on behalf of an oversea syndicate, and that they will go to London-or a European capital in lithe'expectation that a higher price will joe obtained for- them. The story of this gorgeous string of pearls goes back for 20 year. A wealthy young grazier, Dr George Vivers, of. Inver ell, New. South Wales, bought Them for his bride while they were on .their honeymoon abroad. She was a famous beauty and her marriage t-o Dr Viye-rs was the social event of the year. While, in Monte Carlo, Dr Vivers noticed in the window of a second-hand dealer’s shop a string of marvellous pearls. Mrs .Vivers to own them and the young grazier purchased them for £2500. They were worn by Mrs Vivers many 'times after her return to Australia, and experts considered that nothing like them had been seen in Australia.

The pearls were so perfect in colour and conformation that if one was lost the whole world might be searched before one to replace it could be obtained! Strangely enough, one was lost. :The string was dropped by Mrs Vivers .pn a ferry wharf and one pearl apparently rolled between, the planks and fell into the water. A diver searched in vain for it bn the harbour bed. Domestic 'differences arose between Dr Vivers and his wife in 19.31, resulting' in Mrs Vivers obtaining a divorce from, her husband, wlio did not defend the suit. At the hearing It was stated 'that Dr Vivers owned property worth £500,000 and that'Mrs Vivers had an income of £4OOO a year. .. Then came the dispute about the ownership of the pearls., Dr jFivers claimed that he bought them as an investment and had always retained the property in them, while Mrs Vivers claimed-them as an absolute gift. After a protracted suit of equity, the Court, decided recently that four-fifths of thg .pearls belonged to 1 Dr Vivers and onefifth to Mrs Vivers, and ordered that the pearls should be sold and the proceeds distributed in those proportions. ■■s The necklace consists of 57 pearls, .weighing G4O grains, and .is fastened by a clasp of diamonds and rpbies. The bidding at the auction sale commenced at £IOOO and rose steadily to £2500, when it ceased.