SHOPKEEPER’S HOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1934, Page 2

SHOPKEEPER’S HOARD

BULLION AND JEWELLERY. LUCKY RESCUE BY FIREMEN. Sydney, Nov. 2. A fire on Thursday in a small store at Leichhardt, an industrial suburb of Sydney, lead to an amazing discovery of wealth by firemen and police. Within the small building they found buckets of gold and silver coins of every denomination, jewellery estimated to be worth thousands of pounds, as well as large bundles of notes. Included in the hoard were 340 sovereigns, now worth at least £6BO. The shop was quite an unpretentious one, and it is easy to imagine the amazement of the firemen when in the course of their duties they came upon this great wealth. They first found coins and notes in smouldering bags beneath the shop counter. Under the seats of chairs, in drawers, and under the bed, more gleaming gold and silver came to light, along with diamond rings, gold watches, and jewellery of every sort. The silver included many English coins which have not been in circulation in Australia for years. There were notes, too, of various values, which were issued years ago. There were copper and silver coins irf every room, and when they were collected they filled two large buckets. The occupant of the shop was Mr. James R. Hunt, and he explained to the police that he had lived at the place for 35 years. The money and valuables that had been found represented his life savings. He had always thought that they would be safer in his own care than if he had taken them to a bank. He carefully examined the treasure that had been saved from the fire, and he stated later that only a few notes had been As the fire had a strong hold on the shop when the police arrived, he was fortunate that his loss was so small.

It was pointed out to Mr. Hunt that it would be dangerous for him to keep such wealth any longer, and he reluctantly agreed to have it transferred to the nearest bank. A strong police guard was secured, and the treasure was taken by motor-car to a place of safe keeping.