A PECULIAR CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11046, 1 November 1921, Page 3

A PECULIAR CASE

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES THE MAORI PRINCESS AND THE JEWELLERY. CHARGES WITHDRAWN. Concerning the somewhat interesting case of the Maori jewels in connection with which two men were arrested and brought from Australia recently, on a charge of having obtained jewellery to the value of £4OO -by means of false pretences, . and in connection with which a good deal has appeared in the Press lately, the two men in question, Robert H-. Munro and Roderick Munro (Mr W. A. Leicester), came before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, to answer the charges. The proceedings, however, took an unexpected turn when Mr O'. Beere, for the complainant, "Miniwa Heremai, asked for leave to withdraw the charges. The circumstances leading to the of the accused in Melbourne make a rather unusual story. The complainant, who resides at Lyall Bay, is said to be a Maori princess, and stated to be very wealthy. In May. two men. called on her, and Heremai f;ave them the jewels on which to raise unds for the purpose of running an entertainment. It was subsequently ascertained that the men had left the country, and proceedings were instituted in order- to recover the jewels. In asking for leave to withdraw the oases, Mr Beere outined the circumstances, stating that when the men left New Zealand the complainant really believed that the jewels had been stolen, and took proceedings. After their arrest it had been shown that the jewels had not been taken away, but left with Mr Collins, ip Palmerston North, as no -money could be raised on them. The accused had written four letters to the complainant, but, not knowing her real name, they never reached her. H© uilderstood the expenses for the prosecution would be paid. The magistrate to Chief-Detective Kemp: Dp you approve of the application? Mr Kemp: _lf the facts are as stated in the "first instance, I am under the impression that the charge Bhould not be withdrawn. Mr Beere: The fact that the jewels. Were not- taken out of the country makes all the difference. The charges were withdrawn.