DIAMONDS AT A DINNER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

DIAMONDS AT A DINNER

DEAL WITH KING CAROL'S HOST UNFORTUNATE TRANSACTION BANKRUPTCY OF JEWELLER Unfortunate transactions with Barbu Jonesco, who was host in England of King Carol of Rumania, wero advanced" in the London Bankruptcy Court, recently in explanation of the failure of Otto Edward Theodore Sinclair, jeweller, of London. His statement of affairs showed liabilities £6727 (ranking £4293), and net assets £2BB. ' * Mr. Sinclair stated that a German lawyer took him out to dinner and introduced him to Barbu Jonesco, who, ho believed at the time, was well-to-do. He carried with him a selection of jewellery, mostly obtained from the petitioning creditors, and Jonesco choso some articles, including a diamond ring worth £1350, and two brooches. Jonesco pleaded that ho had not the "cash by him and, promising to remit it by a certain date, led Mr. Sinclair to believe that he was agent for King Carol. Something was said about him becoming court jeweller and being granted a royal warrant. Mr. Sinclair said he had since been informed that the jewellery was pawned in Paris. As he was unable to obtain his money, it was suggested that lie should travel to Rumania with the German lawyer as his legal adviser. He saw Jonesco, who made some plausible excuse about the illness of King Carol, which prevented him transacting any business. Jonesco, however, undertook to pay the whole of his expenses. On several occasions afterwards Mr. Sinclair saw Jonesco, but was always met with some excuse. Eventually he wanted either the jewellery or the money, and Jonesco then declared that

if he returned the articles he would be ruined. Mr. Sinclair understood at the time that the jewellery had been given to two of the ladies of the Court. All he received from Jonesco was £2 or £3 at intervals of a week or ten days. Mr. Sinclair remained in Rumania for nine weeks, and the German lawyer gave him about £26 to pay the expenses of the journey back. He arrived home without the money for the jewellery, or any satisfaction at all from Jonesco.