PAWNBROKERS' DUTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19806, 29 November 1927, Page 13

PAWNBROKERS' DUTIES.

PROBLEM OF STOLEN GOODS.

ASSISTANCE TO POLICE. The attitude of pawnbrokers concerning goods they may have reason to believe have been stolen was discussed in the Supreme Court yesterday. The point came up when Mr. V. R. Meredith, for the Crown, asked for the return of certain stolen goods that had come into the possession of pawnbrokers. Mr. Justice Reed said pawnbrokers who wished to be honest gave the police information about ail the property they had. At the same time it appeared that- very small sums were advanced by pawnbrokers upon jewellery that was valuable, if one could believe the statements of its owners, and in circumstances that should have aroused suspicion. He did not know that every sympathy should be given to pawnbrokers in these cases. Mr. Meredith said well-established pawnbrokers of repute assisted the police very greatly. They had been perfectly candid and straightforward in this case. His Honor said if a pawnbroker knew he could not possibly lose he would take all sorts of risks. There was something to be said on both sides. In the case before him he made an order for the restitution of the stolen property, leaving it for the parties concerned to arrange payment.