THE MESSING NECKLACE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 99, 30 August 1913, Page 5

THE MESSING NECKLACE.

AX OFFER TO RETURN IT.

I i>y Electric Telegram— Copyright]. Times—4 Sydney Sun Speciaj! ' Cable's.' Berlin, August 29. Lloyd's agent has arrived in' the hopes Of meeting the writer of the letter offering to restoret Meyer'e pearl necklace in return for a heavy ransom. The police profess ignorance of the whereabouts of : the neckyace. Jewellers consider that it is certain that the pearls will be detached and offered for sale in various cities. The .value of the necklace is put down in round figures at £150.000,-, it was insured for £135,000.

The loss of the necklace calls attention to the extraordinary system of insurance on jewellery'which obtains in Britain and on the Continent. It appears that it is a common practice to send the most precious jewels in the ordinary registered post, under w hich, of course, the postal authorities accept no liability, but merely undertake to send in separate bags through channels which can be checked. This is held to allay suspicion, and to be safer than sending the jewels by messenger or other special means. Which seems sound enough. What is remarkable, is the easy-going way in which the insurance companies a'cepte risk for jewellery of all descriptions. One is safe in saying that there are millions of pounds worth of precious stones covered by insurance h>. London. Nearly every lady has her jewels insured, and the value declared if almost invariably excessive. In fact, the excessive valuation permitted bv the companies is one of the great attractions of this class of insurance. Women are pleased to think that they can lose rings and strings of pearls and diamonds and make a profi l by their misfortune. And yet the business appears to be profitable to the insurance companies.